Mumbai, Sep 11: NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal has demanded withdrawal of the “unwarranted” ban on onion exports saying that the step would have an adverse effect on bulb growers in Nashik district.
“The ban on onion exports is deplorable and unwarranted.It will have an adverse effect on onion growers in Nashik district,” the Nashik MP wrote in letters to Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.
Maharashtra is responsible for 60-70 per cent of the country's total onion produce and Nashik alone contributes 60 per cent of the state's produce, he said.
Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market in Nashik district is the largest onion market in Asia, Bhujbal said.
“Production of onion was over 49 lakh metric tonnes in around 4.15 lakh hectares cultivable area in Maharashtra during 2010-11. The current year's estimated production is58.23 lakh metric tonne on 3.87 lakh hectares. Out of this,14-15 lakh metric tonnes of rabbi onions produced is stored by the farmers and trading community in the state, especially in Nashik district,” he said.
Bhujbal, nephew of state PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal,said procurement prices for the bulb have gone up to Rs 900 to Rs 1,100 per quintal which is almost at par with last year's market rate. Immediately after the decision of ban on export of onion, procurement rates have come down to Rs 500 per quintal, he added.
The MP said in some northern states, including Delhi,onion prices have been increased by retailers, which is not linked with the wholesale price.“But that does not necessarily require such drastic blanket ban on export of onion,” he added.
According to Bhujbal, following the decision to ban export of the bulb, the wholesale market of onions in Nashik district has been shutdown for an indefinite period and onion growers, who have stored their produce since the last four to five months are likely to be badly affected.
“It may lead to farmers committing suicide. This may have socio economic backlash and the situation may snowball into uncontrollable proportion,” he warned.Bhujbal said the onion export ban will affect the future of onion cultivation because if farmers do not get remunerative price for their produce, they might not opt for
onion production in the future.
“Delayed monsoon has encouraged farmers to cultivate this crop in the late kharif and rabbi season. The ban has served them a blow, leaving their whole exercise futile. This will only help in hoarding and lead to escalation of prices beyond control,” the MP said, demanding that the ban be revoked with immediate effect. PTI
