Nashik Farmers Pass 8 Resolutions, Threaten Jantar Mantar Protest

Onion-producing farmers in Nashik have intensified their agitation against the Centre's onion export and import policies. A grand onion conference was held at the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee, where eight resolutions concerning the interests of onion growers were unanimously passed.

The conference was attended by several prominent figures, including onion expert and Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee director Jaydatta Holkar, and farmer representatives from various organizations. The resolutions proposed by Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana Nashik district president Nivrutti Gare were approved by all the farmers present.

The farmers demanded the implementation of a price-difference scheme ensuring an onion price of Rs 2,000 per quintal. They also demanded that onion procurement by NAFED and NCCF be stopped, and that onions purchased by government agencies should not be exported. Instead, such stocks should be systematically released in the domestic market without adversely affecting farmers.

The farmers alleged that government procurement and marketing policies have repeatedly caused losses to growers. They expressed strong resentment over NAFED and NCCF procurement, and demanded a stable and long-term export policy that takes into account domestic production, domestic consumption, and the quantity available for export.

The conference warned that if the government fails to take immediate cognisance of the eight resolutions, farmers will intensify their agitation. Speakers warned that elected representatives could face village-level protests and a possible “village ban”. If the demands remain unaddressed, onion growers threatened to launch a major agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Central Government.

The eight resolutions passed at the conference include the implementation of a price-difference scheme, stopping NAFED and NCCF procurement, and ensuring that onions purchased by government agencies are not exported. The farmers also demanded that the government should not impose export bans, duties, or any other restrictions aimed at controlling onion prices.

The agitation by onion farmers in Nashik is a significant development, as the region is one of the major onion-producing areas in the country. The farmers' demands for a stable export policy and price support are crucial for their livelihood, and the government's response to their demands will be closely watched.

In the context of the ongoing agricultural crisis in India, the onion farmers' agitation in Nashik is a reminder of the challenges faced by farmers in the country. The government's policies on export and import of agricultural products have been a subject of controversy, and the farmers' demands for a stable and long-term policy are justified.

The possible protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi is a significant escalation of the agitation, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the farmers' demands. The outcome of the agitation will have significant implications for the agricultural sector in India, and the government's handling of the situation will be closely watched.

In conclusion, the onion farmers' agitation in Nashik is a significant development that highlights the challenges faced by farmers in India. The government's response to their demands will be crucial in addressing the agricultural crisis in the country, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.