NCP MLA Rohit Pawar Slams Centre and State Over Onion Price Crisis
Nashik: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Monday strongly criticized both the central and state governments, accusing them of neglecting onion growers amid a sharp decline in wholesale prices. He warned that farmers would launch a rasta roko protest on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway at Chandwad in Nashik district on May 26 if immediate relief measures are not announced.
Demand for Higher Procurement Price
Speaking during a visit to Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), the country's largest wholesale onion market, Pawar demanded that the central government procure onions at Rs 2,400 per quintal (Rs 24 per kg). This rate is significantly higher than the recently announced price of Rs 1,235 per quintal (Rs 12.35 per kg). He gave the state government a one-week deadline to address the crisis.
Farmers Suffering Heavy Losses
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Pawar stated that farmers are currently receiving only Rs 300 to Rs 500 per quintal, far below the estimated production cost of Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 per quintal. "Input costs have risen by nearly 25 percent, and current prices do not even cover basic expenses," he said. He criticized the reduced procurement price, pointing out that in 2023, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, onions were procured through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) at Rs 2,400 per quintal. "Despite higher costs now, the procurement rate has been sharply cut," he added.
Call for Increased Procurement
According to Pawar, Maharashtra's summer onion output is estimated at around 70 lakh tonnes, while the central government plans to procure only 2 lakh tonnes. He reiterated that procurement should be increased to at least 5 lakh tonnes at Rs 2,400 per quintal to provide relief to farmers. "Many farmers have already sold produce at unviable rates, suffering heavy losses. To compensate them, the state government should provide Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per quintal to those who sold below cost," he said.
Demand for Direct Procurement and Export Priority
Pawar further demanded that Nafed procure onions directly from farmers via APMC auctions and prioritize exports rather than releasing stocks in domestic markets, which he said would further depress prices.
Protest Actions
As part of the agitation, Pawar led a tractor march and staged a sit-in protest at Lasalgaon APMC. The protest was attended by MPs Nilesh Lanke and Bhaskar Bhagare, former MLA Sunil Bhusara, and several leaders and workers from parties including Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. A large number of onion farmers from across the district also participated.
