Onion Farmers Welcome Rule Relaxation, But Demand Better Prices
Brief By Newsbrief / 4:53 PM on 09 Jun 2026
The Central Government’s decision to relax onion procurement norms has brought some relief to farmers in Maharashtra, one of India’s largest onion-producing states. However, farmer organizations argue that easing quality and size requirements does not address their biggest concern—poor prices for their produce.
Under the revised rules, the acceptable onion size range has been expanded from 45–65 mm to 35–70 mm. The government has also relaxed standards related to minor blemishes, color variations, skin defects, and slight sun damage, allowing a larger share of farmers’ produce to qualify for procurement.
Despite welcoming the move, farmer leaders say the procurement price offered by government agencies such as NAFED and NCCF remains far too low. Currently, onions are being purchased at around ₹1,580 per quintal, while farmers estimate production costs at approximately ₹1,800 per quintal. As a result, many growers are selling their crops below cost and suffering significant financial losses.
Nashik district president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association, Jaydeep Bhadane, said that while relaxed norms may reduce rejection rates, farmers will benefit only if procurement prices increase. He pointed out that under earlier grading rules, a portion of the produce was often rejected and had to be sold in the open market at lower rates.
Farmer leader Bharat Dighole has demanded that the government fix a minimum onion procurement price of ₹3,000 per quintal. Farmer organizations have also called for greater transparency in the procurement process, including the daily publication of lists of farmers whose onions have been purchased. They further want procurement to be conducted through APMC markets to prevent irregularities.
In addition, farmer groups are seeking a subsidy of ₹1,500 per quintal for growers who sold onions at low prices over the past four to five months, arguing that prolonged price weakness has caused substantial losses across the sector.