New Delhi: Amid a sharp spike in retail onion prices across the country, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has strongly questioned the role of middlemen, highlighting the massive disparity between what farmers earn and what consumers are forced to pay. With retail onion prices touching ₹60 per kilogram in the national capital, the central government has initiated the release of its buffer stock to stabilize the market.
Speaking at a recent event, Chouhan pointed out the stark contrast in market dynamics. Just months ago, farmers in Maharashtra were forced to sell their onion crop for a meager ₹7 to ₹8 per kilogram, a price that barely covered their production costs and necessitated government procurement. “Now that the farmers have already sold their produce and their stocks are nearly exhausted, the retail price has surged to ₹60 per kg. The critical question is—who is pocketing this massive profit margin?” the minister asked.
To address this systemic flaw, Chouhan announced that the government has constituted a dedicated team to overhaul the agricultural marketing framework, aiming to create a balanced ecosystem that protects the interests of both producers and consumers. He emphasized the urgent need to expand farmers’ roles across the entire agricultural value chain, urging that they move beyond mere cultivation to actively participate in storage, processing, and market distribution to mitigate price volatility.
Broadening the scope of his address, the Agriculture Minister linked agricultural self-reliance directly to national security. Citing ongoing geopolitical conflicts, including the crisis in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine war, he asserted that India cannot afford to over-rely on other nations for its fundamental food requirements.
Chouhan also made a strong pitch for sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices, calling for a balanced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to preserve soil health. He urged agricultural scientists to step out of their laboratories and visit farmlands to align their research with the grassroots challenges faced by cultivators.
Furthermore, he appealed to the corporate sector to actively boost investments in agricultural infrastructure, particularly in warehousing and processing units. Chouhan suggested that companies leverage their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to equip farmers with advanced technology, reminding the audience that sustainable development is crucial to protecting the earth’s natural resources for future generations.