RAJKOT: Post Diwali, onion may become a scarce commodity in urban areas due to shortage of the crop. What will bring tears to the city people is the fact that despite the central government wanting to import the vegetable to control prices, farmers are opposing the move.
They are alleging that the government only wants to keep the urbanites happy at the cost of farmers.
Mahuva market yard, the second largest market yard in the country after Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, has asked the government to ‘mentally prepare urban population’ for rise in price.
The major reason for the shortage of this essential commodity is the huge damage floods inflicted on the crop as well as heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the largest producers of onion. According to traders, in place of the nearly 500 trucks that used to come from Bengaluru and Kurnool everyday, only 150 to 200 come at present. According to weather forecast, another spell of rain is expected in Maharashtra and Karnataka which may ruin the situation further.
Looking at the shortage of onion in the country, the state government has asked Mahuva marketing yard to submit a report about the current situation.
In his letter to the civil supply department on September 13, Ghanshyam Patel, chairman of Mahuva marketing yard said, “The wholesale price of onion is nearly Rs 475 per 20kg. But in the coming days, there is a possibility of further damage to the crop due to rain and this may push up prices higher. We have to accept the reality and need to mentally prepare people to buy onion at higher price. Asking farmers to provide onions at cheaper rate to urban people is injustice to the farmers.”
Talking to TOI, Patel said, “Farmers get price for their stock once in three years. They stock the onion risking complete loss of crop and therefore should get remuneration covering this risk. Hence, the government should not allow import merely to keep price under control.”
Gujarat consumes onions from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan, while the state’s own produce goes to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Onions produced in Maharashtra and Karnataka are considered to be the best in the country.
Maharashtra and Karnataka onion farmers cultivate onion in Kharif season because of the quality of soil, while in Gujarat farmers cultivate onions only in the Rabi season. The sowing of the crop started in Mahuva, Bhavnagar and Amreli area and fresh crop is expected to pour in the market by the end of January. According to Mahuva APMC, nearly 7,500 tonne onions are in stock of which 2,500 tonne will be used for seeds and the rest will be transported to other states.
A farmer of Mahuva, Himmat Patel said, “This is the time for us to get remuneration for our hard work.”
“Maharashtra and Karnataka farmers also have onions as Rabi crop and so, we don’t expect to get good price after February,” he added.
They are alleging that the government only wants to keep the urbanites happy at the cost of farmers.
Mahuva market yard, the second largest market yard in the country after Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, has asked the government to ‘mentally prepare urban population’ for rise in price.
The major reason for the shortage of this essential commodity is the huge damage floods inflicted on the crop as well as heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the largest producers of onion. According to traders, in place of the nearly 500 trucks that used to come from Bengaluru and Kurnool everyday, only 150 to 200 come at present. According to weather forecast, another spell of rain is expected in Maharashtra and Karnataka which may ruin the situation further.
Looking at the shortage of onion in the country, the state government has asked Mahuva marketing yard to submit a report about the current situation.
In his letter to the civil supply department on September 13, Ghanshyam Patel, chairman of Mahuva marketing yard said, “The wholesale price of onion is nearly Rs 475 per 20kg. But in the coming days, there is a possibility of further damage to the crop due to rain and this may push up prices higher. We have to accept the reality and need to mentally prepare people to buy onion at higher price. Asking farmers to provide onions at cheaper rate to urban people is injustice to the farmers.”
Talking to TOI, Patel said, “Farmers get price for their stock once in three years. They stock the onion risking complete loss of crop and therefore should get remuneration covering this risk. Hence, the government should not allow import merely to keep price under control.”
Gujarat consumes onions from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan, while the state’s own produce goes to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Onions produced in Maharashtra and Karnataka are considered to be the best in the country.
Maharashtra and Karnataka onion farmers cultivate onion in Kharif season because of the quality of soil, while in Gujarat farmers cultivate onions only in the Rabi season. The sowing of the crop started in Mahuva, Bhavnagar and Amreli area and fresh crop is expected to pour in the market by the end of January. According to Mahuva APMC, nearly 7,500 tonne onions are in stock of which 2,500 tonne will be used for seeds and the rest will be transported to other states.
A farmer of Mahuva, Himmat Patel said, “This is the time for us to get remuneration for our hard work.”
“Maharashtra and Karnataka farmers also have onions as Rabi crop and so, we don’t expect to get good price after February,” he added.
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