Madhya Pradesh farmers hold 'funeral' for onions as prices plunge

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa-Nimar belt, one of India’s largest onion-producing regions, farmers are staging a grim protest. Onions are being sold at Rs 1-10 per kg in mandis—far below the Rs 10-12 production cost. Frustrated, they performed the ‘last rites’ of their crop.

“Onions are like our children,” said Devi Lal Vishwakarma, visibly upset. “The government isn’t paying even our costs”.

The agony stems from a 25% export duty, which makes Indian onions uncompetitive globally. Exports have plummeted, stocks are overflowing, and prices have crashed.

“We’re not just losing money; we’re losing our future,” warns Badri Lal Dhakad, a protesting farmer.

They claim that despite repeated appeals, the Centre has not reduced the export duty.

Farmers in Mandsaur, a district with a long history of agrarian protests, warned that the 'funeral procession' is only the beginning.