Onion acreage may shrink owing to weak prices

According to NHRDF data, model prices of onion were Rs 615 per quintal in January

A steady fall in onion prices might divert farmers to other crops, leading to a decrease in area under the vegetable in the next sowing season. Traders and exporters say onion prices have dropped by 43 per cent since January, owing to heavy arrival coupled with huge production. 

“Current price trends have demotivated farmers and it may impact sowing next season. Since we are still in the harvesting period, we cannot estimate how much area may fall under onion,” said Sanjay Singh, assistant director (horticulture), National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF).

According to NHRDF data, model prices of onion