Pawar bats for export of onions

Kolhapur, Feb 11 (PTI) In the wake of falling prices ofthe bulb, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today saidthat he was in favour of the export of onions and will take upthe issue with the Centre.

"As per my request, Maharashtra Chief Minister will writeto the Centre today seeking permission for the export of sugarand onions. We are going to follow up the demand at theCentral government level," Pawar told reporters here.

The NCP chief said he was against foreign investments inagriculture as he considered that to be a threat to farmers.

"Personally, myself and NCP welcomes foreign investmentsin the industry, but we are totally against the foreigninvestment in agriculture. We are against any type of threatto the rights of small farmers."

Pawar said that his ministry intended to allow 20 foodparks in the country and has already cleared 10 suchproposals.

"There is not appropriate infrastructure for processingagricultural products. Lack of this infrastructure is a causeof major loss, approximately Rs 50,000 crore. The Agricultureand Food ministry is trying to minimise this loss bypermitting foodparks, cold storages, besides promoting rippinghouses and export zones." PTI COR VKV