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Indian onion growers halt auctions, demand removal of 20% export duty

In response to declining onion prices in both wholesale and retail sectors, growers in Lasalgaon, India, the nation's largest wholesale onion market, ceased onion auctions. This action is a direct consequence of the government's failure to revoke a 20% export duty on onions, exacerbating the financial strain on producers. The protest, orchestrated by the Shetkari Sanghatana and the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association, took place at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Lasalgaon, with participants calling for prompt governmental intervention.

Bharat Dighole, speaking on behalf of onion farmers, questioned the government's reluctance to lift export restrictions, noting the disparity between production costs and market rates. Despite anticipations for relief measures from Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, no such announcements were made. Furthermore, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has advocated for the removal of the export duty to alleviate the challenges confronting Nashik's onion growers.

Lasalgaon and Vashi APMC's Jaydutta Holkar highlighted the growers' frustrations over the sustained export duty and its impact on market prices amid increasing crop arrivals. He emphasized the potential benefits of prompt governmental action to stabilize the market. Onion growers, including Sanjay Desle and Sarla Sawant, voiced their discontent with governmental policies, underscoring the adverse effects on their livelihoods and the viability of onion cultivation.

Experts and political figures, including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, have urged for the removal of the export duty to improve market sentiment and support the agricultural sector. The situation underscores the need for policy adjustments to address the immediate challenges faced by onion growers in India.

Source: Hindustan Times

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