Onion farmers in Maharashtra are facing losses as the selling price of the staple has dropped to an all-time low, hovering at Rs 9-11 per kilogram. The farmers have demanded the average price be increased at least to Rs 20-22 to overcome the expenses in growing the produce.
Bharat Dighole, state president of the Onion Growers’ Association, stated that the rates have remained lowest for at least five years and that the government should frame a policy on increasing exports to enable farmers earn better rates on the produce. “The central government is not allowing farmers to sell onions abroad to receive better market rates. But when the produce is in short supply, it leads to an increase in rates. That is when the government quickly imports the onions to lower the prices,” he alleged.
The farmers have already suffered heavy losses due to excessive and erratic rainfall from June-October last year, Dighole said. “Farmers across the state have lost 30 per cent of their crops. Moreover, the input expenses of the crops have increased. The cost of seeds, fertilisers and chemical insecticides and pesticides have almost doubled in the past two years.”
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: jara.news