Onion farmers across Maharashtra have launched an indefinite protest from Monday, demanding urgent relief from the State government following widespread crop damage caused by unseasonal rains. The Maharashtra State Onion Producers Farmers Association has submitted memorandums to district administrations in major onion-growing regions, seeking compensation, free seeds, and policy support.
“Unseasonal rains have broken the backs of farmers. The government should immediately announce financial assistance,” the association said in a statement.
From October 23 to 27, districts like Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Jalgaon, Solapur, and Satara received moderate to heavy rainfall, ranging from 36.8 mm in Solapur to 58.4 mm in Nashik, according to the India Meteorological Department. This rainfall, unusual for the post-monsoon period, has severely impacted onion nurseries, which are crucial for the rabi season sowing cycle.
Farmer Sanjay Bhadane from Dhule district described the situation as dire, “Unseasonal rains have wreaked havoc in many parts of Dhule, including Sakri taluka. Onion seedlings, soybeans, maize and cotton crops have been damaged on a large scale. Farmers, already burdened by rising input costs and unstable market prices, are now facing another blow from nature.”
