Shiv Sena MLC and convenor of party's essential commodities cell Kanhyalal Gidwani toady demanded a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 300-500 per quintal for onions as per their grades. |
In a letter to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Gidwani pointed out that onion prices hit the Rs 20-25 per kg level in September-October due to artificial shortage created by hoarders. |
But the farmers did not benefit from the price rise. The government had to import onion from Pakistan and China to control prices. Now, the prices have crashed after the arrival of the fresh crop. |
He further said that out of 45 lakh quintal onion production in the country, more than one-third is contributed by the state. |
Onion is cultivated on nearly one lakh hectare in eight districts of the state, but no step has been taken by the state to safeguard farmers' interest. |
Gidwani also said there is a cotton monopoly purchase scheme to protect the interest of cotton farmers, the government announces packages for sugarcane farmers frequently, but such schemes have never been announced for onion farmers. |
Gidwani demanded an immediate announcement of MSP for onion and adequate storage facilities for onion growers. |
He also sought its inclusion in the list of essential commodities to protect the interest of both farmers and consumers. |
Meanwhile, speaking to the reporters, state agricultural marketing minister Harshwardhan Patil said, "A meeting of farmers organisations, agriculture market produce committees and concerned officials has been called on January 10 to sort out the issue." |