Apart from damage to onion kharif crop due to rain, prices will increase

Mumbai : At present, onion prices are very low in major producing states of the country, especially Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, due to which farmers are not able to meet their production costs. But prices are expected to rise in the coming days as the possibility of damage to the onion kharif crop has increased in view of incessant rains in these major producing states.

At present, the arrival of Chhotachwai Kharif onions has also started in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Kharif onion arrival in Maharashtra mainly starts from October. At the same time, late kharif onion planting is underway in these states. While the share of Rabi onion in the total onion production of the country is about 70 percent, while the share of Kharif and Late Kharif crops is about 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.

According to the informants, due to the current rains where another ready kharif crop is being damaged. At the same time, the late kharif crop, which is being sown now, is also suffering.

Onion growing areas of North Karnataka along with Maharashtra have been receiving good rains for the past few days. Onion roots are being destroyed due to water logging in the fields. Due to which the onion crop of Kharif season may be damaged and the production may decrease.

Due to which the price of onion may increase next month. At present, farmers are getting the maximum price of onion from 10 to 14 rupees per kg. A very good quality onion costs Rs. 17 per porter up to. The price may go up to Rs 20 per kg next month.

PK Gupta, executive director of the National Horticulture Research and Development Establishment, says that 20 to 25 percent more onions have been planted in the kharif season this year. But the rains have damaged the kharif onion crop in the fields in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Onion prices may rise if further losses occur till fresh revenue starts next month. A record 317 lakh tonnes of onion was produced in 2021-22, which is about 19 per cent more than the 266 lakh tonnes of 2020-21.