The Government plans to add storage capacity of 56,800 tonnes in three States to reduce the wastage of onion. The move comes at a time when onion farmers in several States are complaining of getting inadequate price for their crops.
“The Government has decided to expand the storage facilities for onion in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha to reduce its wastage,” Joint Secretary in Agriculture Ministry Shakil Ahammed said on Tuesday. Accordingly, about 38,000 tonnes of storage capacity will be added in Madhya Pradesh, 12,000 tonnes in Maharashtra and 6,800 tonnes in Odisha.
The move is expected to provide a smooth supply of onion across the year and help keep prices under control. “This will also help farmers as in case of higher production they can store their crop rather than selling it on throw-away prices,” the JS said.
Exceeding its procurement target of 15,000 tonnes, the Centre this year has bought 20,000 tonnes of onion from farmers to create a buffer stock to be utilised for market intervention in the event of price rise during a lean season. last year, the Government had procured 8,000 tonnes of onion but that came after the retail prices had gone through exceeded Rs80-90/kg.