Maharashtra has produced extra onions than wanted this 12 months, and the standard of saved rabi onions has deteorated, Decreasing Market Pries | Picture Credit score: B Jothi Ramalingam
The story to this point:
Since September 12, Hundreds of Farmers from Maharashtra, India’s Larget onion-Producing State, Have Been Holding a Telephone Protest. The primary cause for the agitation is the misery attributable to the autumn in Market Prisis of Onions. Farmers are demanding immediative authorities intervention and help of ₹ 1,500 per quintal. Consultants say the issue is systemic. Maharashtra has produced extra onions than wanted this 12 months, and the standard of saved rabi onions has deteorated, Decreasing Market Pries. They argue that the federal government should streamline onion bills, Set up a uniform skilled coverage, construct belief amongst essential importers, and maintain discusations with keyers to safe secure markets.
Why are farmers protesting?
At current, farmers say they earn solely ₹ 800 to ₹ 1,000 per quintal for his or her Onions, whereas the manufacturing price stands at ₹ 2,200 to ₹ 2,500 per quintal. The rabi onions saved by Farmers within the Hope of Higher Charges are deteriorating, forcing them to promote at even cheaper price. On the identical time, the federal government has began its buffer inventory out there at cheaper costs, additional dragging down charges.
“NCCF and NAFED Ought to Be Stopped From Promoting Their Shares in Cities Throughout the Nation,” One of many Key Calls for Put Forth by the Maharashtra State onion Produce Farmers FARMERS ‘Group SAID. Nationwide Cooperative Consures’ Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF), a Main Client Cooperative in India; And Nationwide Agricultural Cooperative Advertising and marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), The Apex Cooperative Group for Selling and Growing The Cooperative Advertising and marketing of Agricultural Produce for the Good thing about Farmers, Collectively Procure, Retailer and TheTERLLG As part of the federal government of India’s value stabilisation coverage.
How is the Onion Worth Stabilisation Coverage Affecting the Farmers?
India’s Onion Worth Stabilization Coverage Focuses The Authorities Procus onens to construct this buffer, and during times of excessive pris or lean provide, they’re associated from the inventory into main consumption facilities by retailers and cell vans to essera Affordability for Consures and Forestall hoarding.
Nonetheless, at Current, Farmers are Nonetheless Sitting on the shares of Rabi Onions and Are Attempting to Promote Them within the Market.
At a time when their manufacturing is receiving a market value decrease than the manufacturing price, the pris are broughn down additional as a result of nafed and nccF shares.
What Options are Farmers and Consultants Proposing?
In line with Authorities Knowledge, 25.25 Lakh Tonnes of Onions Had been Exported Within the Yr 2022-23, A Vital Surge In comparison with Earlier Years. However inside two years, bills fell by greater than half-in 2024-25, solely 11.47 lakh tonnes was expelted. “There’s an pressing want to revive competitors and safe India’s place in World Onion Markets. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was the 2 Important Importers of Indian Onions. TODAYS. TODAYS Us. The federal government must have a Secure Export Coverage.
Farmers and Exporters Need the Authorities to Inventivise Exports, As India is likely one of the main growers of onens on the planet. DURING The Flux within the Authorities’s Export Coverage, Nations like China and Pakistan have taken over India’s expen
In the meantime, the Andhra Pradesh Authorities has Introduced Procurements of Onions at ₹ 1,200 per quintal, a base value thought-about Essential to Defending Farmers. One of many recommendations gave to the federal government of Maharashtra is to emulate the andhra mannequin and inventivise the onion farmers.
Revealed – September 19, 2025 08:30 AM IST