Onion farmers overwhelmed with an all-time hike in the price of Rs 6,470 per quintal

The rise in the price of onion per quintal has reached an all-time high in the last five years with Rs 6470. The high prices have brought all smile in the onion farmers, while on another hand, the consumers have expressed their resentment over the hike in prices. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat, onion prices have increased due to crop losses. Nearly 90 per cent of the onion crop has been damaged due to the incessant rains in these states. This has become a boon for farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

The onion crop is mostly cultivated in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool. In the previous year, 32,000 hectares were cultivated in Kharif season and priced at Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2000 per quintal leaving farmers in debts

The farmers were unable to repay the loans they had taken to cultivate the crop. Many farmers also committed suicide. This year, however, they have brought in profits. The investment per acre is over 50 thousand rupees. Satyanarayana Chaudhary, marketing manager of Kurnool Agriculture Market Yard, said that the price of quintal was Rs 6,470 this season. With stall of importing from other neighbouring states, the Andhra Pradesh formers have grabbed the opportunity by selling them to high prices.