Maharashtra onion crisis deepens as farmers block Mumbai-Agra Highway in Nashik

Representation pic

The onion crisis in Maharashtra intensified on Tuesday after hundreds of growers blocked the Mumbai-Agra Highway at Chandwad in Nashik, protesting against what they called an "unacceptable" procurement price announced by the Centre.

The agitation, led under the banner of the ‘Shetkari Kranti Maha Morcha', erupted after the Union government fixed the Minimum Assured Procurement Price (MAPP) for Rabi onions in Nashik district at Rs 1580 per quintal from May 26. Farmers claimed the rate is below cultivation cost and warned that growers are slipping into financial distress.

NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar talks to the media during the protest

Wearing garlands made of onions, protesters raised slogans against the government and briefly disrupted traffic before police detained several farmer leaders and opposition politicians, including NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar. Farmer groups are demanding procurement at Rs 3000 per quintal, removal of export restrictions and direct government intervention to prevent mounting losses.

What triggered the protest?

Centre announced procurement rate
>> MAPP for Rabi onion procurement fixed at Rs 1580/quintal in Nashik district

Farmers called the rate "unacceptable"
>> Growers say cultivation costs are now higher than procurement rates

Rising production expenses
>> Fertilisers, pesticides, labour, transport and storage costs have increased sharply

Export restrictions
>> Farmer groups say repeated export controls have hurt onion prices and farmer earnings

What happened at Chandwad?

>> Hundreds of onion growers gathered on the Mumbai-Agra Highway
>> Protesters wore onion garlands and shouted slogans
>> Some protesters allegedly attempted to deflate vehicle tyres
>> Police detained several protesters and opposition leaders as tensions escalated

Why farmers are angry

Prices stagnant for years
>> Farmers claim onion rates have barely improved over the past decade

Costs rising sharply
>> Labour, fertiliser and logistics costs have increased significantly

Climate pressure
>> Unseasonal rain and heat have affected crop quality and storage

Fear of distress selling
>> Farmers say they are being forced to sell below production cost

Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association demands:

>> Onion procurement at R3000/quintal
>> Rs 1500/quintal compensation for distress sales
>> Removal of export duty and export restrictions
>> MIS procurement at the taluka level too
>> Procurement centres in all onion-producing talukas
>> Direct procurement through open markets
>> Better implementation of the Price Deficiency Payment scheme

What is MAPP?

The Minimum Assured Procurement Price (MAPP) is a government-fixed procurement rate under which onions are purchased to support farmers during price crashes. Unlike MSP, MAPP is temporary and limited to specific procurement operations.

Leaders detained

>> Rohit Pawar
>> Harshvardhan Sapkal
>> Ambadas Danve