Overview
- Wholesale prices at Lasalgaon rose after arrivals fell to about 10,000 quintals and traders reported some growers withholding high-quality stock in expectation of higher procurement rates.
- The Centre raised the Minimum Assured Procurement Price to ₹1,580 per quintal and NAFED and NCCF have begun buying, but farmers say this is below their estimated ₹1,800 per quintal cost of production.
- The highway blockade organised by farmers and leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi took place on Tuesday and demanded a guaranteed price of about ₹3,000 per quintal, subsidies for onions already sold, and procurement of 8–10 lakh tonnes instead of the proposed 2 lakh tonnes.
- Officials say the state and Centre are in active talks and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has indicated a decision could come within about 10 days, while farmer groups vow to continue agitation until demands are met.
- Heat damage and spoilage in Nashik have forced growers to dump rotting stocks, worsening household losses and raising the risk that planting plans and future supply will be disrupted if relief is delayed.