Nashik: Lasalgaon Onion Conference Passes 8 Resolutions; Farmers Warn Of Jantar Mantar Protest

Nashik: Onion-producing farmers have intensified their agitation over the Centre’s onion export and import policies, demanding that the government refrain from imposing export bans, duties or any other restrictions aimed at controlling onion prices. A grand onion conference was held at the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee on Saturday at 10 a.m., where eight resolutions concerning the interests of onion growers were unanimously passed.

Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana Nashik district president Nivrutti Gare proposed the resolutions. Farmers present at the conference raised their hands and unanimously approved all eight resolutions. The conference was attended by onion expert and Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee director Jaydatta Holkar, former district president of the farmers’ organisation Arjun Borade, Lasalgaon market committee vice-chairman Lalit Darekar, trader-director Pravin Kadam, Jai Kisan Forum district president Nivrutti Nyaharkar,

Maharashtra Onion Growers’ Farmers’ Association district president Kedarnath Navale, Chhava Krantiveer Sanghatana North Maharashtra chief Gorakh Sant, Prahar Janshakti Party office-bearer Mangesh Kadam and several farmer representatives, including Gopinath Thube, Kubere Jadhav, Dilip Gaikwad, former Panchayat Samiti chairman Shiva Surashe, Manik Nikam and Vinayak Shinde.

The farmers demanded implementation of a price-difference scheme ensuring an onion price of Rs 2,000 per quintal. They also demanded that onion procurement by NAFED and NCCF be stopped and that onions purchased by government agencies should not be exported. Instead, such stocks should be systematically released in the domestic market without adversely affecting farmers. Farmers alleged that government procurement and marketing policies have repeatedly caused losses to growers.

Strong resentment was also expressed over NAFED and NCCF procurement. Farmers said frequent changes in the Centre’s import-export policy directly affect onion prices and create uncertainty for growers. They demanded a stable and long-term export policy that takes into account domestic production, domestic consumption and the quantity available for export.

The conference warned that if the government fails to take immediate cognisance of the eight resolutions, farmers will intensify their agitation. Speakers warned that elected representatives could face village-level protests and a possible “village ban”. If the demands remain unaddressed, onion growers threatened to launch a major agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Central Government.

Eight resolutions passed at the Onion Conference

Implement a price-difference scheme ensuring Rs 2,000 per quintal for onions.

NAFED and NCCF should not enter local markets for onion procurement; if they do, elected representatives will face a village ban.

There should be a uniform and stable onion export policy.

Onion prices in market committee auctions should be announced per kilogram instead of per quintal.

Onion exports should be kept permanently open, and onion imports should be stopped.

Onion procurement by NAFED and NCCF should be permanently discontinued, and farmers should refrain from selling onions to these agencies.

No stock limit should be imposed on traders.

The government should restore the earlier 10 per cent subsidy on onion exports. Anger over NAFED-NCCF procurement

Farmers’ organisations and representatives expressed strong anger over NAFED and NCCF’s onion procurement and alleged irregularities, as well as against the Centre’s frequently changing onion import-export policies. Speakers said that inconsistent policy decisions leave farmers bearing the consequences whenever onion prices fluctuate.

“The same questions are being raised even today”
Jaydatta Holkar, onion expert and director, Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee, said that the issue of onion prices is not new. He recalled that a similar situation had arisen in 2017, when farmers had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and explained the difficulties faced by onion growers.

“The agitation should reach Jantar Mantar”
Pravin Kadam, onion exporter and trader-director, Lasalgaon Market Committee, said that the onion issue needs a powerful and sustained movement. Referring to farmer activist Abhijit Dipke, he said that his agitation at Jantar Mantar brought the issue to the attention of people across Maharashtra, the country and even internationally.