Onion

Due to rising onion prices, the central government has taken another major decision. The government will continue the purchase of onions in all the mandis across India. The government will continue to interfere till the price falls.

The central government has so far taken various important steps to decrease the rising onion prices, the effect of which has also started appearing. After the intervention of the government, onion prices have fallen to Rs 60 per kg. In the middle of this, the central government has taken a big decision, which will give relief to onion farmers as well as customers.

Central government will continue to procure onion continuously

Actually, the government has decided to continue the purchase of onions. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh has said that the government has decided to continue the purchase of onions. This purchase will be held in all the mandis across India. He has said that until the onion prices are reduced, the government will purchase onion.

Onion exports were banned last week

For your information, the government has banned onion exports till 31 March last week. The government has taken this step with the aim of keeping onion domestic prices under control and increasing availability. However, onion producing farmers are not happy with this decision and are opposing it in different parts of India. In Nashik district of Maharashtra, onion producing farmers are demanding to withdraw this decision. In the midst of this protest of farmers, the government has decided to continue the purchase of onions.

Export ban will not affect farmers

The Secretary of Consumer Affairs says that the government is expecting that by January onion prices will reach the current average price by Rs 57.02 per kg to reach below Rs 40 per kg. He said that the export ban will not have any effect on farmers. Also, it is a small group of traders who are taking advantage of the middle gaps in Indian and Bangladesh markets.

NAFED has so far sent more than 3,000 tonnes of onion to many markets in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. At the same time, approval has been sought from the Consumer Ministry to start sales in the mandis of Uttar Pradesh. Sources say major cities like Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh are likely to be covered initially.

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation and National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) sold more than 900 tonnes of onion through the online platform e-NAM on August 30-31. This also includes trade of 152 tonnes through inter-state transactions. The sale of onion through the e-NAM platform was the government's immediate response to protests by traders in some mandis in Maharashtra. Where he had stopped the auction in protest against the 40 percent export duty imposed on onions. In response, the government had directed both NAFED and NCCF to explore alternative routes for releasing onion storage.

The purpose of this sale was to prevent the price of onion from increasing. However, onion farmers suffered huge losses due to the efforts of the government. But, the government ignored the farmers and only took care of the interests of the consumers. The government did not want that after tomato, the price of onion should also increase. Also, there should be no uproar regarding this, because he has to face elections soon.

Possibility of increasing sales through e-NAM

NAFED which had started the sale of onion through e-NAM. After taking physical stock from Lasalgaon, Maharashtra, one was able to sell 5,08.11 tonnes within the state. The National Consumer Cooperative Federation (NCCF) used both intra-state mandi and inter-state transactions. Lasalgaon Mandi is located in Nashik, Maharashtra. It is claimed that this is the largest onion market in Asia.

Also read: What caused the record-breaking fall in onion prices?

Sources say that both agencies are likely to increase sales through e-NAM. This can happen if more traders are brought on stage during the auction and they are made to understand the quality and logistics issues. The government has already provided the facility for the logistics value chain in the agriculture sector on the e-NAM portal.

Why did the farmers become very angry?

On August 17, the central government imposed a 40 percent duty on onion export. In protest against this, farmers and traders organized a strike in markets like Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon and got them closed. To reduce the resentment of farmers, the government decided to purchase an additional 2 lakh tonnes of onion. But, common farmers did not get any special benefit from this.

On the other hand, the government decided to release onion in the market from the buffer stock of 3 lakh tonnes already created. After that, a decision was taken to purchase 2 lakh more tonnes. Before that, NCCF had sold about 21,000 tonnes of onion and NAFED had sold about 15,000 tonnes of onion. The Center announced on August 11 that it will release onions in the open market from the buffer stock by targeting the major markets of those states or regions. Where retail prices are very high.

NAFED will launch Onion in these markets

Official sources say that NAFED has so far sent more than 3,000 tonnes of onion to various markets in Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. Also, approval has been sought from the Consumer Ministry to start sales in the mandis of Uttar Pradesh. Sources say that major cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh are likely to be covered initially. After that, depending on the response, other places can also be included.

Nowadays the festive season is going on. In such a situation, there is worrying news for the common people about inflation. For your information, let you know that onion prices have already caught fire before Diwali. Its price has been increased by Rs 20 per kg. This has greatly affected the pocket of the general public.

As the time of festivals comes, inflation has started showing its colours once again. This has shaken the budget of the general public. Onion prices, in particular, have gone on fire. Onion sold at Rs 30 to 35 per kg has currently crossed Rs 45. In Andhra Pradesh, the price of one kg onion has reached Rs 50. This means that its price has increased by up to Rs 20 a kg. It is being said that its prices may increase further in the coming days. In such a situation, the price of onion has once again increased the concern of the people.

Onion is being sold at Rs 50 a kg

In Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, onion is being sold at Rs 50 per kg. At the same time, the price of onion in Rythu Bazar is Rs 40 per kg. Also, experts have pointed out, that the arrival of monsoon this time was delayed. In such a situation, its effect has also been seen on the onion crop. This is the reason that the new produce of onion has not yet arrived in sufficient quantity in the market. Due to this, prices have also increased significantly.

Also read: Onion and tomato prices soar to seventh sky due to uneven demand-supply gap

Hundreds of tonnes of onions arrive

According to an analysis by the Times of India, traders said onions are supplied across Andhra Pradesh from Ranul and Bellary in Karnataka. But, the supply of onion from both these places is falling far short of the requirement. This led to a huge onion problem in Andhra Pradesh. In such a situation, traders here are buying onions from Maharashtra. This is the reason that the price of onion is increasing due to rising costs. For information, let us know that 600 tonnes of onion arrives daily in Andhra Pradesh.

There has been a delay of about 120 days in onion cultivation

For your information, let us know that normally this time due to the delay in rain, onion cultivation has also been delayed by about 120 days. According to traders, new onion produce will start coming to the markets from the first week of November. After this, there may be some decline in onion prices. However, people will have to wait a bit for this.

In the past few days, the price of onion has skyrocketed to Rs 100 per kilogram in several Indian states. Additionally, on Friday, the average wholesale price of onion in Lasalgaon, which is India's largest wholesale onion market, plummeted by 24% in just five days, to Rs 3,650 per quintal. It's worth noting that the recent surge in onion prices before the Diwali festival has raised concerns among consumers. As a result, the Central Government has taken several measures to curb the rise in prices. Furthermore, the Department of Consumer Affairs is considering setting a minimum export price (MEP) of $800 per tonne of onion from October 29, 2023, to December 31, 2023, to address the decline in exports and increase supplies in the domestic market.

Onion prices fall by 24 percent in Lasalgaon

On Friday, it was reported by a media agency that the average wholesale prices of onions in Lasalgaon, India's largest wholesale onion market, had dropped by 24 percent in just five days to Rs 3,650 per quintal. Interestingly, the average wholesale price of onions in Lasalgaon had increased from Rs 2,050 per quintal on October 3 to Rs 4,800 per quintal on October 28. The recent surge in onion prices could be attributed to several factors, including a shortage of supply in both domestic and export markets. In light of this, it would be beneficial to discuss in detail the possible reasons behind the increase in onion prices.  

Also read: The central government has completed its preparations to control inflation before the festival. As a part of this effort, the government has imposed a 40 percent tax on the export of onions to limit their sale in the international market. Previously, there was no export tax on onions. Additionally, the Center has set the Minimum Export Price (MEP) for onion exports at Rs 66,730 per tonne, which means that until December 31, 2023, no onion trader can export onions at a price lower than this.

Onions have become very expensive in India nowadays. Now you can also take advantage of this in such a situation. However, for that you have to open an onion storage house. If you also want to earn a strong income through onion, open an onion storage house. The big thing here is that you will also get a grant up to Rs 4.5 lakh on its construction. Nowadays onion in India is extracting a lot of tears from the public. The reason for this is its price. Onion prices have again become skyrocketing. According to the supply, due to no storage of onion, its prices have been increased. However, you can also get the benefit of the rise in onion prices. You just have to open an onion storage house, on which you will also get a grant. At the same time, later onion storage and auction will also be profitable.

Bihar government took important steps

Indeed, the Bihar government has done a big exercise to develop a wider onion storage system. The state government is providing grants for onion storage. So that onion storage can be ensured in the state. At the same time, people should also benefit from this. In such a situation, if you too are from Bihar and are thinking of starting a new business, then you can take advantage of this scheme of Bihar government. Similarly, farmers can make their local storage in rural areas, on which the government is giving subsidy of up to 75 percent.

How much subsidy Bihar government is providing

According to the horticulture department of the Government of Bihar, the State Government is providing grants for the establishment of onion storage under the Vegetable Development Program (2023-2024). According to this plan of the government, a cost of Rs 6 lakh has been fixed for 50 metric tonnes of onion storage unit. On this, the government will give you a 75 percent grant. In such a situation, if you construct an onion storage house, then you will get a subsidy of up to 4 lakh 50 thousand rupees on it. This means that you will have to spend only 1 lakh 50 rupees for construction from your pocket.

You can apply in these districts of Bihar

The Bihar government is currently running this scheme in a few districts. Under this, people and farmers of districts like Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Patna, Buxar, Nawada and Sheikhpura can apply for onion storage. The process of applying is completely online, which is currently started.

Also read: Bumper discounts being given in this state to open potato onion storage house

Apply like this to take advantage of the scheme

For your information this year, due to lack of rain, the arrival of red onion is coming from delay. It was planted with delay, as the monsoon rains started with great delay in most of the states in the state. Farmers hope that onion prices will remain stable till the new onion comes in plenty in the market in the coming time. Explain that onion is getting brilliant in the Karanjad sub -market located in Washim district in the state of Maharashtra. Explain that about 19 thousand 500 quintals of summer red onion came from about one thousand vehicles. Red onions have a higher price than summer onions.

According to market committee Chairman Manisha Pagar and Secretary Santosh Gaikwad, summer onions have the highest number of Rs 3300 to 3695 per quintal and average price of Rs 3000 per quintal. In comparison, red onion got the price of Rs 4150 and an average of Rs 3600 per quintal. After the fifteen day holiday of Diwali, the onion market has been getting excellent since the opening of the onion market on Monday. Summer onion season is in its last stage. Also, it is expected that onion prices will remain stable in the coming time.

Reason for delay in arrival of red onion

This year, the rude weather means that the arrival of red onions is being delayed due to lack of rain. Actually, it was planted with great delay. Because, in most of the states, monsoon rains were very delayed. Farmers are hopeful that onion prices will be controlled in the coming time till new onions come in plenty in the market. Prior to Diwali, onion prices had reached Rs 5,000 per quintal. This was the reason that there was only summer onion in the market; new onions had not come. The arrival of red onions with the kharif season has started. This has reduced the price.

Why does the government not come to help farmers

However, in the past, thousands of farmers have sold their onions at cheaper prices. Onion producing farmers union officials have expressed the response, saying that more traders are benefiting from farmers. Earlier, when the Kisan was selling 200 rupees a quintal onion, the government did not provide assistance. Now when the prices were a little cured, the price came out. Farmers are angry with this type of attitude. For a long time, the farmers of the state have sold onions at a lower price than the cost of production. The government should then help them.

What has Mandi Samiti appeal to farmers

Currently, after diwali, the arrival of onion in the m A large amount of onion is coming from areas in the Karanjad sub -divisional campus. Secretary Santosh Gaikwad, Arun Ahire has appealed that the farmers should sell the goods and take cash payments from the traders concerned after the auction. While parking the vehicle, farmers should cooperate with the market committee administration.

Maharashtra is a major onion producing state of India. Here production of onions is done on a large scale. Here, onions are cultivated three times a year. Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Dhule and Ahmednagar are considered strongholds in the state for onion production. At present, Rabi season onion planting has started in Maharashtra. Farmers cultivate maximum onion in the state and here Asia’s largest onion market is in Lasalgaon, Nashik. Generally, cultivation of onions is done only once a year in different states. But it is nothing like here in Maharashtra. Three crops are done during a year in the state. Here it is produced in Kharif, post-Kharif and in Rabi season. Onions are a cash crop in Maharashtra. A majority of farmers here depend on its cultivation. Farmers get maximum production of onion in the Rabi season. 

When is the sowing of the second season of onion done?

The second season of  onion is sown in the month of october-november , which is currently being done in the state. It gets ready in between January and march. The third crop of onion is Rabi, which is sown in December-January. At the same time, it is harvested from March to May. 60 percent of total production of onion in the state occurs in Rabi season only. 

Onion is produced in large quantities in these districts of Maharashtra.  

Onion is cultivated most in Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Satara, Nashik, Pune and Solapur districts of Maharashtra. At the same time, farmers cultivate this crop in Marathwada district of Maharashtra. Nashik is famous for producing onions not only in Maharashtra but all over India. Out of its total production in India, 37 percent of onion is produced in Maharashtra and 10 percent of the onion production in the state is done only in Nashik.

What should be the soil for onion cultivation?

According to agricultural scientists, onions can be cultivated in different types of soil. But, excellent yield is obtained only in soils like clay, sand, loamy, gar and brown soil. To get high yield in onion cultivation, there should be good drainage facilities in the field.

What type of land should it be?

To prepare for the cultivation , first plowing of the land should be done three to four times. Also, add rotten manure to increase the amount of organic matter in the soil. After this, divide the field into small plots. Planting should be done on a 1.2 meter wide strip at a height of 15 cm from the land surface. 

How much fertilizers should be used?

Onion crop requires a large amount of nutrients. Manure and fertilizer should be used in onion crops on the basis of soil test. Rotten cow dung manure should be used in the field at the rate of 20-25 tonnes per hectare from one-two months before planting.

Great onion varieties and pruning time.

Bhima Shweta: This variety of white onion is already approved for Rabi season, this variety gives an average yield of 18-20 tonnes in Kharif while it gives an average yield of 26-30 tonnes in Rabi.

Bhima Super: This red onion variety has been identified for production in the Kharif season. It can also be grown as a late crop in the Kharif season. This variety gets ripe in a time interval of 95-100 days. Its production is approximately 20-22 tonnes per hectare.

Talking about the right time to prune onions, the right time to remove onions from the fields is when the moisture in the plant gets exhausted and its bulb starts coming up almost on its own.

People living in countries around the world have been facing the wrath of inflation for many days. Even India is not spared from its blow. The effect of rising inflation in the country is also being seen in food items. According to various media reports, the prices of vegetables are also increasing significantly. Talking about tomato, its price has increased by 50 percent on an annual basis. Also, it is being sold in the retail market for up to Rs 30 per kg.

The situation of onion is also similar. However, the retail price of onion has increased by 20%. These have increased to Rs 30 per kg. Not only this but it has also been said in some news that the prices of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, etc. will increase in the coming times. Talking about last year, there was a decline in the prices of tomatoes and potatoes. Due to an unfavorable monsoon in July 2023, tomato prices increased by more than 200%.

The government has taken strict steps to control prices

The government works to keep the prices of tomatoes and onions under control. Some time ago, tomatoes were sold at very high prices in different regions of India. In some places, its price had reached Rs 100 to Rs 250. After which the government took serious steps regarding the matter and controlled its prices by repairing its chain. 

Also read: Due to uneven gap between demand and supply of onion and tomato, prices reached sky-high

Onion inflation is making people cry

At present, onion is being sold in the retail market for Rs 30 per kg. At the same time, its retail prices have seen a decline of 25% in the last three months. In October 2023, onion prices had increased by 74%, after which the export of onion was banned by the Central Government. Along with this, the government had also decided to sell onions at the price of Rs 25. Due to the efforts of the Central and Maharashtra Governments, the price in Nashik Mandi has come down to Rs 1000/quintal, which was Rs 2000/quintal at the beginning of the month.