New Delhi, Sep 1: The government has stepped up efforts to keep onions available at affordable prices while ensuring timely payments to farmers, as part of measures to manage seasonal price pressures in the domestic market.
Around 669 metric tonnes of onions have been sold so far at Rs 35 per kg through bulk and retail channels. Of this, 223 metric tonnes were sold through bulk platforms, while 446 metric tonnes reached consumers through retail channels.
The retail initiative is being carried out through NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar outlets and mobile vans, helping make onions available to consumers in different cities.
The government has also said that around 1,000 metric tonnes of onions are being transported by road to major consumption centres based on local market conditions. The additional supplies are aimed at improving availability and preventing sudden seasonal price increases.
At the same time, around Rs 210 crore has been paid directly to nearly 3,400 farmers, ensuring that growers receive their payments on time.
To strengthen the supply chain, the government has begun releasing onion buffer stocks through both railway and road networks. Two special ‘Kanda Express’ consignments have been dispatched from Nashik.
The first train, carrying 450 metric tonnes, reached Delhi on August 27. Part of the consignment was subsequently sent to Varanasi, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Amritsar, while the remaining onions were distributed across Delhi-NCR.
A second consignment carrying 840 metric tonnes reached Chennai on August 31. The Tamil Nadu government is expected to distribute the onions through the public distribution system according to local requirements.
The government’s retail intervention has now expanded to 19 cities, with more than 30 trucks being used to improve availability in major consumption centres.
The release of buffer stocks has already helped improve supplies and ease prices in some markets, including Delhi, Varanasi and Amritsar. The government is continuing to monitor market conditions and plans to release additional stocks wherever necessary.
The initiative is aimed at maintaining a balance between consumer affordability and farmer interests. By moving onions more efficiently from producing regions to areas with higher demand, the government is seeking to reduce supply gaps and limit sharp price fluctuations.
The continued intervention is expected to provide consumers with better access to onions while ensuring that farmers receive timely payments for their produce, supporting greater stability across the agricultural supply chain.