Ahead of the crucial polls in the onion-growing regions of Maharashtra, the Modi government has allowed the export of 99,500 tonnes of bulb crop to six neighbouring countries, despite a nationwide ban in place since December 2023.
The ban had angered the farmers who had been agitating against it and onion growers in Maharashtra have significant influence in turning the political fortunes of BJP in Nasik and the neighbouring districts, which goes to polls on May 20.
Onion, which is considered the poor man’s vegetable, not only adds flavour to many dishes but has brought down governments in the past, is all the more reason for the government to worry about.
The government has to walk on a tightrope when dealing with the onion issue by balancing the interest of consumers and producing farmers. While it had banned export on December 8, 2023 to prevent retail prices from spiking, it had angered the farmers from profit booking from lower production.
In an official statement, the ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution said the government has “allowed export of 99,150 tonnes of onion to six neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka”.
The export prohibition has been imposed to ensure adequate domestic availability against the backdrop of estimated lower Kharif and Rabi crops in 2023-24 compared with the previous year.
