Maharashtra: Committee formed to address onion issues

Under the leadership of Pasha Patel, the committee will formulate policies with focus on price stabilization, export promotion, market reforms, storage expansion, and farmer welfare.

Mumbai: To find a permanent solution to the persistent issues related to onions, which pose a major challenge to farmers, consumers and the government, a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Pasha Patel, Chairman of the State Agricultural Price Commission.

The decision to appoint Patel as head of the committee was taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Patel, a former legislator, said: “Every year, onions bring tears to farmers, consumers, and the government. As the largest onion-producing and exporting state in the country, there was a need for a comprehensive policy on onion production, productivity, storage, and exports. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has entrusted me with this responsibility. Along with expert members, this committee is committed to preparing a report within the stipulated time-frame to permanently resolve the onion issue.” 

“Every year, onions cause significant challenges for the state government. Maharashtra is the largest onion-producing state in India, contributing approximately 34 per cent to the country's onion production in the past year. The state also accounts for 40 per cent of India’s onion exports,” officials said. 

The government order issued by the state’s Marketing department highlights that, despite Maharashtra leading in onion production, farmers face numerous challenges. These include price fluctuations, lack of storage infrastructure, frequent export restrictions, and post-harvest losses, as mentioned in the order.

Frequent changes in onion import and export policies disrupt trade, causing difficulties for both farmers and traders.

To address all these issues and formulate a policy for price stabilization, storage expansion, export promotion, market reforms, and farmer welfare, the Maharashtra government has formed a committee under Pasha Patel’s leadership.

The committee, chaired by Pasha Patel, includes members such as the Director of Marketing (Maharashtra State, Pune), Executive Director (Maharashtra State Marketing Board, Pune), Director of Agriculture (Agriculture Commissionerate, Pune), Joint/Deputy Secretary (Agriculture), Joint/Deputy Secretary (Marketing), Dr. Sunil Pawar (former Director of Marketing), Chief Statistician (Agriculture Commissionerate, Pune), Chairman (Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Solapur), Head of Department (Economics/Crop Production Costs, Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Rahuri), Prashant Waghmare (Regional Head and Deputy General Manager, APEDA, Mumbai), Bhavesh Kumar Joshi (Agricultural Marketing Consultant, Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Government of India), Director (Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, Mumbai), Deepak Chavan (Agricultural Market Expert, Pune), a representative of farmer producer organizations, and three experts selected by the Minister (Marketing). The Deputy Director of Marketing Directorate, Maharashtra State, Pune, serves as the Member Secretary.

The government order clearly outlines the committee’s primary objectives, scope, and working methodology. The committee is required to submit an interim report within one month and provide progress reports every two months during its six-month tenure. Before its term ends, the committee will submit a final report and a draft policy with an action plan to the government.