The falling procurement prices of onions (from farmers) in Maharashtra is now likely to reach the corridors of power in New Delhi. According to buzz in Mantralaya, on Wednesday, senior leaders from the ruling alliance are expected to meet Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah to seek immediate relief measures for onion farmers, who are facing heavy losses due to falling rates. Amid growing pressure, the state has announced a minimum assured procurement price of onions at Rs 1580 per quintal as a relief measure for farmers.
Centre’s support
According to buzz in Mantralaya, leaders of the Mahayuti alliance are likely to meet Union Minister Amit Shah to seek additional support and relief measures for onion growers affected by the price crash. The government is likely to push for intervention measures, including procurement support and export-related relief, to stabilise prices and protect farmers from further financial distress.
Opp’s protest
On Tuesday, leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, staged protests across the Nashik belt over the crash in onion prices and demanded immediate relief for farmers. The protest was led by Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve, who claimed that onion growers should get a minimum price of R3000 per quintal for their produce. During the agitation, Danve questioned the government’s claim regarding the support price of R1580 per quintal and alleged that farmers were not actually getting that rate in the markets. “Show us where procurement is happening at that price,” he said, while accusing the government of failing to provide real relief to distressed farmers.
Single digits
Onion farmers in Maharashtra are facing severe distress as prices of the crop have crashed drastically. Many growers are reportedly getting just R1 to R2 per kg for their produce in wholesale markets. Irked farmers have been demanding immediate government intervention, saying the prices are so low they are not even recovering basic production and transportation costs, resulting in huge losses.
Rs 1 to Rs 2
Price per kg of onions in wholesale markets
