India is psychologically scared of onion shortage. The government prioritises cheap access to consumers over the welfare of onion farmers.
Onion is India’s most politically sensitive crop. Any increase in consumer prices of onions is a nightmare for politicians. But the prices often crash too making farmers angry. Why is that so?
What explains the constant supply and demand crisis of Onions in India? And India, an onion surplus nation fails to make money in exports even when there is a global shortage of onions.
To find answers to some of these questions, The Plate’s TR Vivek spoke to Nanasaheb Patil, who knows more about the Indian onion market than anybody else. He is an onion farmer himself and a member of the agricultural produce marketing committee that runs what is known as Asia’s biggest onion market in Lasalgaon in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.
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