Maharashtra Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal on Tuesday announced that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged the Central government to double the subsidy on onion exports. The move aims to stabilise market prices and ensure better returns for farmers following a bumper onion harvest in the state.
Speaking to reporters after a review meeting held at Mantralaya, Rawal highlighted a significant surge in onion production this year, an increase of 55 lakh metric tonnes. “Given the current situation, it is imperative to promote exports and implement additional support measures. The Centre has responded positively to our request for increasing the export subsidy,” he said, according to the news agency PTI.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne, Agricultural Prices Commission Chairman Pasha Patel, senior legislators, and officials from National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers` Federation (NCCF) were also present at the meeting.
Maharashtra, home to Asia’s largest onion market in Lasalgaon in Nashik district, plays a crucial role in influencing onion prices across the region. The Lasalgaon mandi`s rates often serve as a benchmark for the entire Asian market, PTI reported.
Currently, onion exports receive a subsidy from the Central government. The state has proposed doubling this amount to enhance the competitiveness of Indian onions in global markets, thereby supporting domestic price stability.
Rawal also informed that district-level vigilance committees, under the supervision of district collectors, have been activated to curb hoarding and profiteering practices that often lead to artificial price drops and adversely affect farmers.
“Market committees must take strict action against those spreading false information for personal gain and ensure that farmers receive fair returns,” he added, according to PTI.
Looking ahead, Rawal announced a long-term strategy involving the launch of solar-powered onion dehydration projects. These initiatives will be implemented through farmer-producer groups and women`s self-help groups, with a target of processing one lakh metric tonnes of onions into powder and chips for international markets, he stated.
During the meeting, the minister also held a video conference with chairpersons and secretaries of 28 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), directing them to safeguard farmers’ interests and crack down on local-level malpractices, PTI reported.
(With PTI inputs)
