Maharashtra government on Tuesday constituted an expert sub-committee to recommend immediate and long-term measures to address the ongoing decline in onion prices and strengthen the state's onion sector. The sub-committee has been formed under a secretary-level committee set up by the Cooperation, Marketing, and Textiles Department in April to suggest measures for onion growers.
A government resolution (GR) issued on Tuesday said the panel will examine factors behind the fall in onion prices, assess the impact of the Centre's onion export policy over the last seven to eight years, and recommend measures to improve the crop's value chain.
The sub-committee comprises former vice-chancellor (of Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in Dapoli) Dr Kisanrao Lawande, former Director of Marketing Sunil Pawar, Indo Vegetables Development Association president Sarang Nirmal, entrepreneur Narendra Pawar, and Maharashtra Director of Marketing Sharad Jare, who will serve as member secretary.
The sub-committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report covering six key areas — integrating quality onion varieties developed by agricultural universities into the agriculture value chain; analysing the root causes of the price crash; preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on high-temperature storage and its cost implications; studying onion by-products; examining the Centre's onion export policy over the past 7 to 8 years and its impact on market prices; and visiting onion storage facilities developed by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation at Rajgurunagar (Pune).
The sub-committee has been directed to submit its report along with recommendations to the state government within 15 days, the GR said.
Maharashtra is the largest onion-producing state in India, and recurring price volatility has long been a source of severe distress for farmers, particularly in the Nashik belt.
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