Mah Govt announces subsidy of Rs 43.50 cr to onion farmers

Pune, June 12 (UNI) Considering the losess incurred by the onion growers in the state during the months of March and April, the Maharashtra government has decided to pay a subsidy of Rs 43.50 crore to the farmers.

Maharashtra Marketing Minister Harshvardhan Patil made this announcement here this evening.

Briefing reporters, Mr Patil said that there was an excess production of onion this year which was responsible for the farmers not to get the price they deserved.

The onion glut was so much that it was sold in the open market at much lower price. Taking into account the plight of the farmers, the Minister said the first instalment of Rs 25 crore of the subsidy will be distributed to the farmers very soon, while the balanced amount will be given to them in due course of time.

He said that the onion production of 87 lakh quintal was the highest in the state this year. They should have got a price of Rs 50 per quintal, but they did not get the said price due to excess production.

The distrubution of the subsidy will be made through Agriculture Produce Committee (Krushi Bazar Utpann Sammitee) of various districts, Mr Patil added.

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