In a significant development, onion farmers from Maharashtra have joined the ongoing farmers’ protest in Delhi, demanding the lifting of the ban on onion exports imposed by the Indian government two months ago. This move adds another layer to the multifaceted “Delhi Chalo” protest, primarily led by farmers from Punjab and Haryana, advocating for a minimum support price (MSP) law to safeguard their crop prices.
The ban on onion exports has severely impacted the livelihoods of onion farmers, prompting them to join the larger protest in Delhi. Despite multiple discussions between the farmers and the government, a resolution on the export ban issue is yet to be reached. Onion farmers argue that the government’s policies, including the export ban, have adversely affected their income, and they are now demanding the inclusion of onions under the MSP scheme to ensure fair prices for their produce.
As part of their demonstration, Maharashtra farmers are planning to join the protest at the Punjab-Haryana border in the coming days. The ongoing struggle for onion farmers stems from their assertion that current market prices do not cover production costs, necessitating a guaranteed minimum price for onions to alleviate their financial hardships.
The nationwide strike called by farmers’ unions on February 16th received a mixed response, with the core demands of farmers remaining consistent: an MSP guarantee for 23 crops, withdrawal of cases against farmers from previous protests, and debt relief. The farmers participating in the protests are resolute in their commitment to continue until their demands are met.
