Overview
- The Centre notified a rise in the Minimum Assured Procurement Price for Nashik onions to ₹1,580 per quintal on Tuesday and directed NAFED and NCCF to begin purchases at the revised rate.
- Growers and opposition leaders say the increase is insufficient because production costs are around ₹1,800–1,900 per quintal, and they are demanding a statutory MSP near ₹2,400–3,000 per quintal plus compensation for distress sales.
- Hundreds of farmers blocked the Mumbai‑Agra National Highway in Chandwad, Nashik, with some clashes and detentions of opposition leaders reported during the demonstrations.
- Market pressure is linked to a collapse in exports to Gulf markets during a regional conflict and sharply higher shipping costs, which cut external demand and left domestic supplies oversupplied.
- Amit Shah is meeting Maharashtra leaders on Wednesday to discuss further measures, and analysts say failure to improve procurement mechanics and payment speed could deepen farmer losses and prolong protests.