Onion trade affected at Nashik on sale procedure

The state government is trying to end a dispute between farmers and onion traders on the commission fees and mode of purchase at the wholesale markets in Nashik district.

The Lasalgaon mandi in the district is the biggest in the country for onions. Earlier, auctions were held for onions in loose, unpacked form; now, the produce has to be brought in gunny sacks. traders say this is a problem, as onions differ in quality and size.

“Prices have dropped since traders could not inspect the entire produce and are, therefore, hesitant to pay a good price. It has also affected the supply. Farmers are looking at other options but there are limitations in doing so,” said Jaydutta Holkar, chairman of the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC).

Nafed, the central government procurement agency, has begun buying onions from farmers since April under the Price Stability Fund set up by the Centre to control prices and prevent artificial hoarding. A purchase of 5,000 quintals was made in the inaugural programme at Nashik district.

The Lasalgaon Kharedi Vikri Sangh, a sub-agency of Nafed, is setting up a private market parallel to the Lasalgaon APMC for auction of vegetables and onions from the coming week. This is now possible as the state government has removed the earlier compulsion to sell vegetables and fruit only at an APMC.

Nana Tidke, a local farmer, says he has started supplying onion to Nafed and some malls. “We cannot wait for too long and have to find options. This is one but we are incurring losses due to the crisis (with traders),” he said.

Traders say they have to incur an additional Rs 70 a quintal expense under the new auction system. On Friday, 13,000 quintals were supplied at the APMC, instead of the usual daily range of 20,000 to 30,000 qtls.

The state’s minister for co-operation, marketing and textile, Subhash Deshmukh, minister of state for agriculture Subhash Khot and rural development minister Dada Bhuse held a meeting with traders’ representatives from Nashik district on Friday.