Secretary-Level Committee to Suggest Measures for Onion Farmers: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, March 2026 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the formation of a high-level committee to address the recurring onion crisis and provide relief to farmers. The decision was taken during a meeting held at the Vidhan Bhavan, where the Chief Minister emphasised the need for both immediate and long-term solutions.

He stated that the onion issue emerges every year and requires a permanent resolution. In the current situation, supporting onion farmers is a priority. The committee, comprising senior officials from the agriculture, finance, and marketing departments, has been tasked with suggesting urgent measures to assist farmers and stabilise the situation.

The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of implementing long-term strategies to ensure that the problem does not recur. He highlighted the need to curb irregularities in onion trade and to stabilise prices by boosting exports. In this regard, he said discussions would be held with the Union government on issues related to export policies and market regulation.

Noting that onion production has increased significantly, he underlined the importance of creating better market opportunities for farmers. He pointed out that in some cases, traders purchase onions from farmers and resell them to government agencies, which results in losses for cultivators. He called for strict action to prevent such practices.

The government is also exploring the possibility of crop diversification in major onion-producing districts. The Chief Minister suggested that farmers should be encouraged to shift towards crops that offer better returns. Pilot initiatives may be introduced in the upcoming agricultural season to test these alternatives.

He added that supply chain disruptions often force the government to intervene, which ultimately affects farmers’ income. Therefore, a balanced approach combining immediate relief and structural reforms is essential.

The committee has been instructed to submit its short-term recommendations at the earliest and finalise long-term measures within the next two to three months to ensure effective implementation.