Madhya Pradesh farmers hold 'funeral' for onions as prices plunge
"Onions are like our children," said visibly upset Devi Lal Vishwakarma
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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”.
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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.
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Farmers in Mandsaur, a district with a long history of agrarian protests, warned that the 'funeral procession' is only the beginning.
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