Farmers in Maharashtra have welcomed the Centre's decision to relax onion procurement rules, but they emphasize that the move does not address the core issue of low prices. They are demanding a minimum procurement price of Rs 3,000 per quintal, arguing that the current rates offered by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF), at around Rs 1,580 per quintal, are too low to cover farming costs.
Relaxed norms but persistent losses
The Centre has eased quality and size rules for onion procurement. The acceptable size range has been increased from 45-65 mm to 35-70 mm. Additionally, rules regarding blemishes, colour changes, skin defects, and minor sun damage have been relaxed. Despite these changes, farmer leaders assert that the main issue remains low prices, not procurement eligibility.
Jaydeep Bhadane, district president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association in Nashik, stated, "Norms have been relaxed, but farmers are still incurring losses. The real question is when onion prices will increase." He explained that earlier, farmers bringing 30 quintals of onions for procurement would often have only about 25 quintals accepted, with the rest sold at lower market prices. He added that "The benefit of relaxed norms will depend on how effectively they are implemented on the ground."
Demand for higher procurement price
Bhadane reiterated the demand for a minimum support price of Rs 3,000 per quintal, stating that the current rate of around Rs 1,580 per quintal is insufficient to meet production costs. Association president Bharat Dighole noted that the average cost of producing onions is about Rs 1,800 per quintal, forcing farmers to sell at a loss.
"When farmers are compelled to sell onions below production cost, they are pushed into financial distress. The rates announced by central procurement agencies are like rubbing salt into farmers' wounds," Dighole claimed.
Calls for transparency and subsidy
The association has also called for greater transparency in procurement. It demands that NAFED and NCCF publish daily lists of farmers whose onions are being purchased. Furthermore, they want procurement to be conducted through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to reduce issues and ensure fair prices.
The farmers' body has demanded a subsidy of Rs 1,500 per quintal for those who sold onions at low prices over the past four to five months, citing heavy losses due to weak market rates.
Government measures and farmer response
The Maharashtra government has waived APMC fees on onion procurement by NAFED and NCCF to reduce costs and expedite buying. However, farmers argue that this benefit will primarily help the agencies unless procurement prices are increased.
