In a significant move aimed at empowering onion cultivators, the Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association has announced plans to establish a National Onion Centre. This initiative is designed to hand greater control over the production, pricing, and trade of the essential kitchen staple back to the farmers themselves.
A Hub for Farmer-Led Decisions
The centre will be set up at Jaigaon village in Sinnar taluka of Nashik district. According to Bharat Dighole, the association's founder president, the facility will initially spread across a two-acre plot with potential for future expansion. The announcement was made during a press conference in Nashik on Sunday, December 17.
This development is particularly notable as Nashik district is home to the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), recognized as the largest onion market in Asia. The new centre aims to revolutionize the existing multi-layered supply chain by establishing a direct marketing system.
Transforming the Supply Chain and Ensuring Fair Prices
Under the proposed model, onions will move directly from farmers to the National Onion Centre, and then onwards to both domestic and international consumers. This streamlined approach is expected to cut out middlemen, ensuring farmers receive fair prices while consumers benefit from stable and affordable rates.
"The National Onion Centre will transform onion farming from an uncertain, debt-driven activity into a stable, profitable and sustainable occupation," stated Bharat Dighole. He emphasized that despite India being a global leader in onion production, critical decisions on exports, import restrictions, buffer stocks, and price control have historically been made without consulting the farming community.
"Once the National Onion Centre is established, such decisions will be taken under farmers' leadership and in their interest," Dighole asserted.
Overseeing the Entire Value Chain
The centre's mandate extends beyond just trade. It is planned to oversee the entire onion value chain, which includes:
- Seed research and quality control.
- Nursery and seedling development.
- Scientific planning for fertilizers and pesticides.
- Collective procurement to reduce input costs.
- Continuous crop monitoring.
These collective activities are aimed at reducing costs and boosting productivity. Furthermore, the centre will focus on ensuring transparency in onion trading at APMCs across Maharashtra and the country.
"All onion trade transactions will be transparent. Farmers will not face cheating, exploitation or financial losses, and farmers will have the final say in decision-making," Dighole promised. He added a firm note, stating, "The centre will speak up for farmers. If required, we will also take to agitation."
The first phase of this ambitious project is estimated to cost around ₹5 crore, which the association plans to raise through contributions from farmers themselves. This marks a major step towards self-reliance and empowerment in one of India's most critical agricultural sectors.
