Maharashtra Onion Farmers Seek ₹10,000 Crore Revival Package Amid Income Crisis

Maharashtra onion farmers have urged the Centre to announce a ₹10,000 crore special revival package , arguing that years of export restrictions, natural disasters and price crashes have pushed the sector into a deep financial crisis.

The demand was raised by the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Farmers Association, which said repeated policy interventions have severely impacted growers’ incomes. Association founder-president Bharat Dighole claimed that export bans imposed in 2019, 2020 and 2023-24 , along with export duties and minimum export price norms, disrupted market opportunities and reduced returns for farmers.

According to the association, the release of buffer onion stocks by central agencies in the domestic market also contributed to lower prices, compounding losses for cultivators already grappling with adverse weather conditions, crop diseases, storage losses and poor-quality seeds.

The body has sought direct transfer of financial assistance to farmers’ bank accounts and called for subsidies on certified onion seeds, storage infrastructure and warehouses. It also demanded greater support for onion processing industries and value-added products such as onion powder, flakes and paste.

Highlighting the dependence of rural households on onion cultivation, the association estimated that around 10 to 15 lakh farmer families in Maharashtra are engaged in the crop every year. It stressed that policy stability has become crucial as uncertainty over exports continues to affect farm incomes and investment decisions .

Among its key proposals are the creation of an Onion Export Promotion Fund , a National Onion Stabilisation Fund , low-interest loans for growers, and an independent National Onion Producers Corporation to safeguard farmers’ interests.

The association said a predictable long-term export policy , rather than recurring bans and duties, is essential to ensure sustainable growth in the onion sector and strengthen the rural economy.