Onion seed prices quadrupled as supply tightened

Mumbai, Ta. 23 October 2020, Friday

Prices of onion seeds have risen sharply in the current year. Onion seeds, which normally sell for between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,200 per kg, are being sold for between Rs 200 and Rs 500 in Nashik before the rabi season this year.

Nashik is the largest onion producing district in the country. Heavy rains in northern parts of Maharashtra like Malegaon, Deola, Satna, etc. have washed away nurseries, leading to a shortage of seeds, said an official of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association. There is a shortage of 3 to 4 percent.

In Nashik district, onion is grown on an area of ​​about 10 lakh hectares during the rabi season. Given the scarcity of seeds, it may be time to import them.

About 5 to 6 per cent of the seed required for onion crop is supplied by a private company. While the rest is supplied by the farmers.

Approximately 15,000 tons of mud seeds are required for planting operations. The recent rise in onion prices in the country has forced the government to ease onion import controls.