Nashik Onion Farmers Face Dual Crisis Amid Low Prices and Fungal Infection
Nashik farmers worried amid crop infection crisis
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Onion farmers in Nashik district, Maharashtra, are struggling with low wholesale prices and a fungal disease affecting crops. The disease, exacerbated by unseasonal rain, has led to significant losses, prompting calls for government intervention to support affected farmers.
- 01Farmers in Nashik are facing a fungal disease affecting onion crops, leading to significant losses.
- 02The average wholesale price of onions is around ₹1,100 per quintal, while production costs are approximately ₹1,800 per quintal.
- 03One farmer reported losing over 40% of his crop due to the infection.
- 04The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted onion exports from Nashik.
- 05Local government intervention is deemed essential to alleviate financial distress among farmers.
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Farmers in Nashik district, Maharashtra, are currently facing a dual crisis as they contend with low wholesale prices and a fungal disease affecting their onion crops. The district agriculture officer, Ravindra Mane, stated that while a survey will be conducted to assess the damage, initial feedback suggests the fungal infection is not widespread. However, farmers like Subhas Shinde from Satana taluka have reported severe losses, with over 40% of his 1,200 quintals of onions affected. Shinde, who invested ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,000 USD) in his crop, expressed his distress over the losses incurred before harvesting and during storage. Bharat Dighole, president of the state onion growers’ association, emphasized the need for state government intervention as farmers are already struggling with low wholesale prices, averaging around ₹1,100 (approximately $13 USD) per quintal, against a production cost of ₹1,800 (approximately $22 USD) per quintal. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has impacted onion exports, further complicating the situation for local farmers. NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar is expected to visit Lasalgaon on April 18 to meet with farmers and assess their financial distress.
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The fungal infection and low prices are causing significant financial distress for onion farmers, which may lead to reduced income and economic hardship in the community.
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