Mumbai, May 28 (PTI) Onion growers in Maharashtra have sought complete transparency in procurement operations being carried out by government agencies NAFED and NCCF and also demanded immediate relief and compensation for farmers who were forced to sell their produce at extremely low prices over the past several months.

In a statement on Thursday, Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association founder-president Bharat Dighole raised several questions over onion procurement being undertaken through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).

The organisation asked how much onion had actually been procured by NAFED from various market committees in Nashik district and other major onion-producing regions of Maharashtra.

It also demanded that the agency publicly disclose the names, addresses and quantities of onion purchased from farmers on a daily basis to ensure complete transparency in the procurement process.

The farmers' body further questioned whether procurement operations were genuinely being conducted across all major onion-producing districts or whether the benefits were reaching only a limited section.

The statement alleged that onion growers across Maharashtra were forced to sell their produce below production cost for several months, while government agencies remained inactive during the period of crisis.

"Farmers who sold onions at throwaway prices earlier this year should be given compensation or subsidy support in proportion to the current procurement rates - Rs 1580 per quintal," it said in the statement.

The organisation also raised concerns over whether the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF), which was assigned onion procurement targets along with NAFED, had actually started procurement operations on the ground.

The farmers' body demanded that NAFED and NCCF publish daily procurement details online, including market-wise procurement quantity, number of farmers benefited and procurement rates, to remove doubts and ensure accountability.

It further demanded the establishment of a permanent price protection mechanism for onion growers, stating that farmers continue to suffer severe financial losses every year due to sudden policy decisions such as export bans, export duties and market intervention measures.

The organisation also demanded a high-level meeting involving the chief minister, Union agriculture minister and Union commerce minister to address the ongoing crisis faced by onion growers.

Calling for long-term reforms, the organisation reiterated its demand for the establishment of a dedicated Onion Corporation to handle procurement, storage, processing and export of onions in a systematic and farmer-centric manner.

"Farmers want transparency, justice and relief. The dignity of farmers is our self-respect. Ensure transparent procurement, provide justice and extend immediate relief to onion growers," the statement said.

The organisation warned that if onion growers continue to be ignored despite suffering massive losses, farmers across Maharashtra would be compelled to intensify their agitation in the coming days. PTI MR BNM