Collapsed Onion Prices: Farmers from Maharashtra Accuse Government of Deliberate Low Pricing before Elections
In a statement made on Thursday, Bharat Dighole, the founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association, accused the Centre of deliberately keeping onion prices low for political advantage.
Dighole claimed that the government is crushing the prices of onions by stopping procurement, banning exports, and granting irregular import licences. This, he asserted, is pushing farmers into a debt trap to keep voters happy.
The Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association has warned of large-scale protests if farmers are not given assured prices, proper storage facilities, and a stable export mechanism.
According to Dighole, the onion is not just a crop but the backbone of the rural economy. He alleged that neither the ruling party nor the Opposition stands firmly with farmers.
The prices of onions at Lasalgaon APMC ranged between Rs 600 and Rs 1,906 per quintal, with an average price of Rs 1,350 per quintal. This is significantly lower than the production cost of onions, which was earlier stated to be over Rs 2,200 per quintal.
Meanwhile, at the Umrana APMC market in Nashik district, the prices of onions fell to Rs 970 per quintal on Thursday. This price drop is believed to be in the run-up to assembly polls in Bihar and other states, as well as municipal elections in Mumbai, Pune, and elsewhere in Maharashtra.
Residents in Pune claim that an increase in fake IDs and poor tenant verification is fueling crime. However, the focus remains on the plight of the onion farmers, who are struggling to make ends meet due to the government's policies.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India is responsible for the removal of import licenses for onions. It remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by the Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association and ensure the welfare of the farmers.
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