ONION, FARMER AND CONSUMER

There is a proverb, “it is better to be the head of a Jackle than to be the tail of a lion”. Perhaps with this theory the government of India amended farmers law to make them more self sufficient and profitable in farming sector. But within a little span, vegetable market has been turned into a hot potato. Especially, in a state like Odisha at present the rate of Onion has been sky rocketed. Say, before 5 to 6 months the rate of onion per kg was Rs.10/- only, whereas at present the rate is around Rs.70/- to 80/-. Also the rate of potato is high. State government’s Food supply and consumer welfare ministry’s reaction over this is in no way helpful to consumers and as reported in different print media, the department is helpless because of centre’s new law. Everybody knows that in the past, once the party which was in power at centre, only due to price rise of onion became dethroned. After a long gap history repeated with onion’s price rise and it is to be seen what would be the result of Bihar Assembly election and all bi-elections of the country. This may reflect common man and voters opinion over vegetables price rise. Even excluding this, if the case of Odisha will be analysed, anyone can realize the plight starting from farmers to consumers. For example, onion seeds in 2019 was being sold at the rate of Rs.200/- per kg., whereas this year the rate enhanced to Rs.570/-. Additionally, farmer has been troubled after onion collection from the field as no cold storage available easily. So, first of all, to make farmers  more dynamic and profit oriented, more cold storage required for which state government should  take more planned initiative which ultimately can make farmer able to sell onion in a higher price. Now the thing has gone bad and with a little price more than the back-year, he is selling onion to businessman or the third party and also at sometimes to brokers. The pity is that again at the time of necessity the same farmer purchasing onion from the open market in a much higher price which is to be dealt with an iron hand of the government to keep onion price at a normal stage. At present the whole country feels, onion market is without any proper and profitable farmer’s plan and that part should be systemized either by centre or by states or even by both’s participation.   

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

3 + 8 =