Onion prices have come under pressure in Maharasthra because of huge arrival of both stored onions as well as fresh kharif crop at a time.The wholesale price for stored onions is quoting lower owing to poor quality, while the fresh kharif crop is fetching at around Rs 10 per kg, as per the official data. "In November, 50 per cent of the onion that arrived in wholesale mandis in the state comprised largely stored onions. The price quoted was between Rs 3.50 and Rs 4 per kg, which has created unrest among farmers," another source said.There is higher quantity of stored onions in the state as farmers had increased area under the crop during the rabi season of the 2017-18 crop year in anticipation of better prices, the source added.Adding to the crisis is that the kharif onion output in the ongoing 2018-19 crop year (July-June) is expected to be more or less at the last year's level of 19 lakh tonne in Maharasthra.Historically, onions are the most nightmarish vegetable for politicians and have played a key role in shaping election results since 1980s. In the past, many governments have fallen due to onion crisis.The BJP was winning elections after elections ever since the Narendra Modi-led BJP stormed to power at the Centre in May 2014. The loss of power to the main opposition Congress in three major Hindi heartland states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh -- was a first major defeat of the saffron party ever since Modi took over as the Prime Minister.

Source: Economic Times December 16, 2018 06:56 UTC