The Maharashtra State Onion Growers` Association has called on the government to swiftly roll out the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to curb the steep decline in onion prices, which it says is driving farmers into a serious financial crisis
Onion prices have declined by more than 50 per cent, clearly indicating distress sale conditions and meeting the criteria for MIS implementation, association president Bharat Dighole said, PTI reported.
He also warned of state-wide protests if immediate steps are not taken, urging the government to act swiftly to provide relief to onion farmers.
Focus on perishable agricultural commodities
The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), a component under PM-AASHA, is aimed at providing remunerative prices to farmers for the procurement of agricultural and horticultural commodities that are perishable in nature and not covered under the Price Support Scheme.
In a representation sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Dighole highlighted that onion growers across Maharashtra were suffering heavy losses due to a steep decline in prices at Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).
According to PTI, he said that if the scheme is implemented, the government`s entry as a buyer in the market would help stabilise prices, curb panic selling, and prevent traders from suppressing rates.
Current rates fail to cover harvesting and transport
Currently, farmers are receiving only Rs 300 to Rs 800 per quintal for onions, less than half of the production cost estimated at Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per quintal. The prevailing prices are insufficient even to cover harvesting and transportation costs, forcing farmers into distress sales.
In several instances, farmers have been compelled to dump onions on roads due to unviable market rates, Dighole pointed out.
He demanded that the state government immediately send a proposal to the Centre for the implementation of MIS and ensure the scheme is executed at the taluka level rather than being restricted to districts. He also called for setting up government procurement centres in every onion-producing taluka and fixing a minimum procurement price based on production costs.
Dighole also stressed the need for effective implementation of the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) scheme to ensure direct financial support to farmers.
(With PTI inputs)
