Farmers' Fury: Onion Prices Trigger Protests in Nashik

Protesting farmers in Nashik dumped onions outside a market in response to falling prices. Current rates don't cover cultivation or transport costs. They demand a minimum price and government aid. The decline is due to increased supply, storage losses, and export uncertainties. Discussions ensue amid police presence.

Farmers in Nashik district of Maharashtra protested by dumping onions, angered by plummeting prices that fail to cover cultivation and transportation costs. The demonstration occurred outside the Nandgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) premises.

Videos shared online depicted farmers voicing frustration against the administration and traders as they unloaded onions in protest. Current wholesale onion prices in APMCs have severely dropped, allowing only Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per quintal for average-quality onions, with smaller varieties selling between Rs 1 and Rs 4 per kg.

Farmers attribute this crisis to excess supply from the Rabi harvest, loss of stored onions due to rising temperatures, and ambiguous export guidelines. They are urging the implementation of a minimum support price of Rs 2,000 per quintal. In response, Nandgaon APMC officials initiated talks with protesters, while police ensured security to prevent disruptions.