Centre relaxes onion procurement norms

Nashik: The Centre has relaxed onion procurement norms for its nodal agencies, Nafed and NCCF, widening the size limits and easing quality criteria, but farmers in Nashik remain sceptical about implementation and pricing, saying benefits will depend on transparent, direct procurement through APMCs.

The revised norms, announced on June 3, expand the permissible onion size from 45-65mm to 35-70mm and relax quality parameters related to spots, discolouration, single-layered skin and sunburn damage. The Union consumer affairs ministry has also directed both agencies to open procurement centres in uncovered talukas. These changes will take effect once procurement operations begin.

While the move has been broadly welcomed, farmers say execution gaps, stringent grading practices and lower procurement prices could blunt its impact. They stress that the real gains will come only if procurement is carried out directly via APMC auctions, boosting competition and ensuring better price discovery.

Jaideep Bhadane, an onion farmer from Deola, called the relaxation “a positive step” but flagged concerns over ground-level implementation. “The relaxation of procurement norms by the Union government will help boost onion procurement,” he said, adding, “Our experience shows that when onions are brought for sale, they are subjected to grading. If a farmer brings 30 quintals, only about 25 quintals are accepted, while the remaining quantity has to be sold separately at APMCs.”

Bhadane, who is also the Nashik district chief of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers’ Association, demanded blanket procurement without stringent grading and pointed to a pricing mismatch. According to him, NAFED and NCCF are offering around Rs 1,580 per quintal, while similar quality onions fetch Rs 1,600-1,900 per quintal in APMCs. “We demand that the Centre procure onions at Rs 3,000 per quintal to ensure fair compensation to farmers,” he said.

Bharat Dighole, the president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers’ Association, highlighted the cost pressures. “The cost of onion production is around Rs 1,800 per quintal, yet farmers are being forced to sell their produce below that cost. The current procurement prices offered by the central agencies are a mockery of farmers,” he said.

Dighole also sought greater transparency in procurement processes, insisting on strict use of APMCs. “NAFED and NCCF should release the list of farmers on the same day after procurement. Moreover, procurement should be carried out only through APMCs to ensure transparency,” he said. He added that growers have incurred heavy losses over the past four to five months due to depressed prices and reiterated the demand for Rs 1,500 per quintal compensation for those who sold at low rates.

Farmers also warned that norm relaxation — particularly for lower-grade onions — could lead to irregularities if procurement continues via FPOs or cooperatives instead of regulated mandis.

“The relaxation will be meaningful only if procurement directly benefits farmers and is carried out transparently,” said farmer Nivrutti Nayaharkar, noting that many farmers still hold significant stocks of good-quality onions.

Despite the Centre’s attempt to widen eligibility and ease quality filters, Nashik farmers say the true test lies in fair prices, minimal rejections during grading and transparent, APMC-based procurement, without which the reform risks falling short of its intent.