Onion farmers in Maharashtra are calling on central government to implement a ₹10,000 crore revival package to address a deepening financial crisis exacerbated by export restrictions and natural disasters. Bharat Dighole, founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Farmers Association, emphasized that flawed export policies, along with issues such as spurious seeds and storage losses,have inflicted significant damage on farming community.
Farmers have faced multiple challenges, including export bans imposed in 2019,2020, and the current fiscal year,which have severely impacted their earnings. The government’s decision to impose a 40% export duty and set minimum export prices at various times has further complicated their situation. Dighole stated that these measures have led to substantial financial losses,with farmers demanding compensation of ₹1,500 per quintal and a procurement price of ₹25 per kilogram.
The release of buffer onion stock by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) at lower rates has also contributed to price drops in the domestic market,compounding the farmers' woes. Dighole pointed out that adverse weather conditions, including excessive rainfall, hailstorms,and unseasonal rains, have further diminished yields,while those who stored onions for sale in 2026 faced drastically reduced prices.
The association has proposed that financial assistance be directly deposited into farmers' bank accounts to help mitigate their losses. Onion cultivation in Maharashtra involves approximately 10 to 15 lakh farming families across 30 districts, making sector vital to the local economy. Dighole stressed the need for policies that prioritize the welfare of onion growers rather than consumer interests .
Among their demands,the farmers are seeking a subsidy scheme for certified onion seeds,a 100% subsidy for storage facilities, and a dedicated fund to facilitate direct sales from farmers and cooperatives to consumers. They are also advocating for special financial provisions to establish onion processing industries in key production areas such as Nashik, Pune, and Solapur.
Furthermore, the association is calling for the creation of an onion export promotion fund and a stable national export policy to replace the current cycle of bans and duties. They propose a "National Onion Stabilisation Fund" to provide immediate financial relief to farmers during price collapses. Other requests include low-interest loans to prevent distress sales and support for farmer-producer companies in procurement, storage,and marketing.
Dighole concluded by asserting the importance of supporting onion growers,stating, "If onion growers survive, the rural economy will survive; and if rural economy survives, the country's economy will become stronger." The farmers' plea for assistance underscores the critical role of agriculture in sustaining both local and national economic health.
