October 11: Excessive damage to the onion crop in the wake of recent rains in Maharashtra has once again led to a steep hike in the price of the commodity which was being quoted at Rs 3400 per quintal in the wholesale market and Rs 40 per kg in retail trade.The parting rains of the monsoon may have brought the much-needed respite for many an urbanite, but for the farmers in the state it has cast a spell of gloom with the heavy spells spoiling the crop in the onion producing belt.
According to Agricultural Producing Market Committee (APMC) sources, the situation appears bleak as the rain fury has not spared the onion growers, in Khedgaon, Pimpalgaon, Devla, Vinchur, Satana, Lasalgaon, Saykheda -- the main onion producing centres -- leading to heavy losses due to the damaged crop.
The shortage in the supply of onion seeds had only added to the woes of the already burdened farmers, the sources said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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