Nashik: Farmers from the region staged a protest at the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), leading to a temporary suspension of onion auctions due to a sharp decline in onion prices. Lasalgaon, the country’s largest wholesale onion market, witnessed over 1,500 trucks loaded with onions arriving for the day’s auction, but tensions flared when auctioneers offered prices far lower than what the farmers deemed acceptable.
The protestors, who are grappling with a significant drop in onion prices over the past several days, demanded immediate government intervention. They have called for financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per quintal of onions and the removal of the 20% export tariff on onions that they argue is making the crop uncompetitive in global markets.
Sharp Price Decline
Onion prices have been experiencing a steady decline. Prices at the Lasalgaon APMC ranged from Rs 800 to Rs 2,900 per quintal, with an average price of Rs 1,900. However, the farmers were agitated when auctioneers began offering prices as low as Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per quintal, prompting them to halt the auctions. Although the situation eased after about 30 minutes and the auctions resumed, the protest underscored the severe economic pressure on the farmers.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Appeals for Relief
Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, expressed his concern over the plight of the farmers and urged the central government to alleviate their difficulties. In a letter addressed to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Pawar emphasized the challenges faced by onion farmers in Nashik, which is a major onion-producing region. He pointed out that the new harvest has flooded local markets, exacerbating the price decline, while the previous summer crop has already been sold off.
Pawar also highlighted that unseasonable rainfall and climate change had already negatively impacted the farmers’ income, making the current low prices even more devastating. “Onions cultivated in Nashik are widely exported, and the arrival of the new harvest has resulted in a large supply in domestic markets. Farmers are now forced to sell their produce at a loss, with no minimum support price in sight,” Pawar said.
Impact of Export Tariff
Farmers are particularly vocal about the 20% export tariff, which they claim has made Indian onions less competitive on the international market. The state’s basic food, which has long been a crucial export product, is now struggling to reach global markets, affecting both income levels and the livelihoods of those dependent on onion farming.
The ongoing situation is a significant blow to the livelihoods of onion farmers in the region, with prices failing to meet even the basic production costs. On Wednesday, about 1,950 trucks of onions arrived at the APMC, with prices ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 2,801 per quintal. Prices on Tuesday ranged from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,252 per quintal, with an average price of Rs 2,200 per quintal.
As the protests continue, farmers are hopeful that the government will act swiftly to address the issues of pricing and the export tax, ensuring that they can sell their produce at a fair price and avoid further losses.
A Growing Concern
This is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend of increasing distress among farmers due to fluctuating crop prices, weather conditions, and government policies. The situation at Lasalgaon APMC has sparked wider discussions about the viability of onion farming in Maharashtra and the need for effective policy solutions that protect both farmers and the economy.
With no clear resolution in sight, the future of the onion market and its impact on both the local and global food supply remains uncertain. The farmers’ protests are expected to continue until their demands are met.
