The Hindu : National : Maharashtra sends proposal to Centre on MSP for onions

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Maharashtra sends proposal to Centre on MSP for onions

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has sent a detailed proposal for a minimum support price (MSP) for onions and the Centre is expected to take a decision soon.

Major cash crop

Harshvardhan Patil, Minister for Marketing, said onions were becoming a major cash crop in the State and was grown in 24 districts. In a few years it would spread all over the State with the exception of the coastal Konkan region, he said.

Onions can grow round the year and of the 60 lakh tonnes produced in the country, about 25 lakh to 30 lakh tonnes come from Maharashtra.

Of the 12 to 15 lakh tonnes that India exports, about seven to eight lakh tonnes come from the State, Mr. Patil said.

The proposal demands an MSP of Rs. 5 a kg. Onions have brought tears to farmers year after year due to the fluctuating prices and suicides have also been reported from the onion farmers from Nashik district.

While the kharif crop harvest does not last long, the rabi onions last longer. Efforts are being made by the State government to gear up the onion process industry and increasing storage facilities.

If the government has a storage capacity of five lakh tonnes then it can come in handy when prices fluctuate, Mr. Patil said.

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