The protest by onion farmers in Maharashtra intensified on Tuesday as thousands of cultivators took to the streets demanding better prices for their produce and stronger government intervention. The agitation, centered in Nashik district India’s largest onion-producing region has emerged as one of the biggest farmer movements in the state in recent months.
Farmers say onion prices have fallen sharply, leaving them unable to recover even their cultivation costs. According to farmer groups, market rates in several areas have dropped to levels that are far below the cost of production, causing severe financial hardship. Many growers claim they are being forced to sell onions at distress prices despite spending heavily on seeds, fertilizers, labour, transportation and storage.
The protest gained momentum after large gatherings of farmers marched through Chandwad in Nashik district. Demonstrators blocked sections of the Mumbai–Agra National Highway and raised slogans against both the state and central governments. Protesters demanded a substantial increase in procurement prices and called for measures to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their crops.
Several opposition leaders joined the demonstrations and accused authorities of failing to address the ongoing crisis in the onion sector. Protesters also criticized procurement policies, arguing that government agencies are offering rates that do not cover production expenses. Farmer organizations have sought procurement prices ranging from ₹2,400 to ₹3,000 per quintal and have warned that the agitation could expand if their demands are ignored.
Police were deployed in large numbers to maintain order during the demonstrations. Several protesters and opposition leaders were detained after road blockades disrupted traffic for hours. Despite the detentions, farmer representatives said the movement would continue until concrete assurances are provided by the government.
The crisis has also revived concerns over export policies and market intervention. Farmer groups argue that frequent restrictions and uncertainty in onion exports have affected demand and reduced earnings. While recent data shows that onion exports from Maharashtra have increased after the easing of some restrictions, cultivators insist that the benefits have not yet translated into better prices at the farm gate.
With anger growing across Maharashtra’s onion belt, farmer leaders have warned of larger statewide protests in the coming days if immediate steps are not taken to stabilize prices and protect growers from mounting losses.
