Centre's intervention pushed onion growers into losses in 2025: Farmers' body

Onion growers across India suffered heavy financial losses throughout 2025 due to the Centres intervention in the market alleged Bharat Dighole founder president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Farmers Association reported news agency PTIPrices remained far below cost of productionThe association has demanded compensation for farmers through a direct subsidy for losses incurred in 2025 and warned of protests if their demands are not metDighole who heads the Nashikbased association said that prices of the kitchen staple remained far below the cost of production While the production cost was between Rs 22 and Rs 25 per kg the average market prices ranged only from Rs 8 to Rs 18 per kg during 2025 he said in a statement reported PTICiting data compiled from all market committees in Maharashtra the statement said the onion average prices received by farmers were Rs 20 per kg in January Rs 22 in February Rs 14 in March Rs 8 in April Rs 9 in May Rs 13 in June Rs 12 in July and August Rs 9 in September Rs 10 in October Rs 12 in November Rs 1415 from December 1 to 15 and Rs 18 per kg after December 15These prices are far below production costs and are the main reason behind farmers losses and rising indebtedness Dighole said reported PTIAllegations of irregularities in buffer stock procurementHe alleged that despite adequate onion availability in the country the government procured around 3 lakh tonnes of onions through NAFED National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation and NCCF National Cooperative Consumers Federation to create a buffer stockHowever instead of buying directly from farmers procurement was carried out through intermediaries contractors and private agencies leading to largescale irregularities and financial misconduct he claimedDighole also alleged that onions from the buffer stock were released into the domestic market at very low prices which prevented any rise in market rates throughout the year This destroyed every possibility of price recovery and forced farmers to sell onions at a loss he said terming it a planned conspiracy to suppress prices reported PTIHe alleged that the buffer stock mechanism meant to protect farmers and consumers had instead turned into a brokerprotection scheme benefiting a few select entities through bogus and substandard purchases reported PTIFarmers demand probe compensation warn of protestsThe farmer was pushed into debt many reached the brink of suicide while the government kept projecting success through statistics Dighole said reported PTIThe association has demanded a highlevel judicial inquiry into onion buffer stock procurement and distribution during 2025 a financial probe into agencies involved in procurement for NAFED and NCCF criminal action against guilty officials contractors and middlemen and a legally guaranteed minimum support price for onions based on production costsIt has also demanded compensation to farmers through direct subsidy for losses incurred in 2025 warning of statewide and nationwide protests if demands are not met These include shutdown of market committees agitations outside NAFED and NCCF offices and a nationallevel farmers movement reaching DelhiThis is not just an onion issue but a question of farmers survival For onion growers 2025 has been a year of losses debt humiliation and betrayal Dighole said warning that farmers will not remain silent if similar policies continue in 2026 reported PTIWith inputs from PTI