The decision by the central government to permit the export of white onions from Gujarat has stirred controversy and discontent among farmers and opposition parties in Maharashtra. Despite BJP leaders sharing a statement from central government agencies announcing the export of 99,150 metric tons of onions to six countries, including Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, farmers remain skeptical.
The Maharashtra Onion Farmers Association has criticized the government’s move, labeling it as a mere repackaging of an old decision that fails to benefit them significantly. Farmers, particularly in districts like Nashik and Lasalgaon, express frustration over the export ban being lifted while they continue to face losses.
The ruling BJP government, keen on avoiding farmer unrest becoming a focal point in the ongoing polls, finds itself embroiled in a contentious issue. Reports of the export of 2,000 tons of white onions from Gujarat only fueled the farmers’ discontent, leading to accusations of double standards and anti-Maharashtra sentiment from opposition leaders like Raju Shetti and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.
The press information bureau’s statement about the onion export, lauded by BJP leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, received mixed reactions. While Fadnavis expressed optimism about the benefits to Maharashtra’s onion producers, farmers and their representatives remain unconvinced.
The Maharashtra Onion Producer Farmers Association’s president Bharat Dighole highlighted the losses suffered by farmers due to the export ban, emphasizing that the recent decision does not fully address their concerns. Farmers in major onion-producing constituencies, such as Nashik and Ahmednagar, are dissatisfied with the current situation and vow to consider this issue while voting.
Narendra Wadhavane, representing the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) of Lasalgaon, pointed out that farmers are not benefiting from the export arrangement through the National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) as the onions are not being purchased from APMCs. This disconnect between the export process and its impact on farmers adds to the dissatisfaction among agricultural communities.
Opposition leader Ambadas Danve accused BJP leaders of misleading farmers and acknowledged the brewing anger that could sway election outcomes. The ongoing dispute underscores the complex relationship between agricultural policies, political strategies, and the grassroots realities faced by farmers in Maharashtra.
Sources By Agencies