Amid concern over likely fall in mandi prices in view of extension of onion export ban, the government on Tuesday assured farmers that it will start procurement of 5 lakh tonnes of rabi onion in next 2-3 days to protect their interest.
The secretary said the government normally buys onion for the buffer stock at a prevailing mandi rates
Amid concern over likely fall in mandi prices in view of extension of onion export ban, the government on Tuesday assured farmers that it will start procurement of 5 lakh tonnes of rabi onion in next 2-3 days to protect their interest.
"We want to assure farmers that their concern will be taken care of. ...We will begin procurement of 5 lakh tonne of rabi (winter) crop in the next 2-3 days for maintaining a buffer stock," Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told reporters.
Rabi onion is critical for country's onion availability as it contributes 72-75 per cent of annual production in the country. The rabi onion is also crucial for ensuring year-round availability of onion as it has better shelf life compared to Kharif (summer) onion and can be stored for supplies till November-December.