The government on Tuesday defended its decision to impose a ban on onion exports, stating that sometimes Indian consumers should get priority to get essential goods at appropriate prices. This comes amid ongoing protests by farmers who are unhappy with the ban.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman justified the move, stating, “I understand the concern, but if there are crop shortages and difficulties in bringing essential goods like onions to the market, we will have to ensure that Indian consumers get the priority.”
The government’s commitment to farmers’ well-being was reiterated by Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who conducted a high-level meeting to review the onion situation. Munda affirmed the government’s dedication to providing remunerative prices to farmers and highlighted ongoing efforts to procure onions from various states.
The government’s decision to ban onion exports has drawn criticism from farmers, who argued that it will lead to lower prices for their produce. The ban has sparked widespread protests, with onion farmers in Nashik, Maharashtra, one of the largest onion-producing regions in India, at the forefront of the movement.
Farmers in Nashik have blocked highways and stopped auctions of onions at local markets in protest. They have also staged a ‘rasta roko’ on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway
The government banned onion exports on December 8, 2023, citing the need to increase domestic availability and keep prices in check. Onion prices in India have been rising in recent months, due to factors such as lower production and unseasonal rains.
The government has said that it is committed to providing remunerative prices to farmers and that the ban is a temporary measure to ensure that consumers have access to onions at affordable prices. The government is also working on measures to increase onion production in the country.
