Rainfall Activity To Subdue In City

Pune district collector has directed officials from agriculture dept to conduct immediate crop loss assessments

- Abhay Khairnar

PUNE: Pre-monsoon showers have damaged onion, tomato and several fruit crops across Maharashtra, especially in major producing regions like Nashik, leading to fears of a spike in onion prices in the coming days. While prices of essential vegetables, including onion, tomato and leafy greens, are rising in retail markets, fruit prices are falling due to lower demand and supply glut.

Lata Bhamre, a farmer from Satana taluka in Nashik district, said, "We had planned to harvest onions in the last week of May due to labour shortages. But the sudden rain caught us off guard. Nearly 60% of my crop is lost."

Rupesh Sawant, another farmer from Nashik, said his stored onions were also damaged. "I had stored onions at my farm. I didn't expect rain in May. Due to the high humidity and the early heat, around 20-25% of the stored onions have rotted. This is the condition of most farmers in the district. Wholesale market prices, which are now between ₹1,500 and ₹1,800 per quintal, could cross ₹3,000 soon."

Satish Pawar, a farmer from the region, added, "Many farmers are unable to bring their produce to the market. Traders have started reaching out to farmers directly. If the situation continues, prices will go up."

Jaydev Holkar, director of Lasalgaon and Vashi APMC, confirmed the widespread damage. "It's true that there have been huge losses in Nashik and other onion-producing areas. Prices will increase. But we request media and the government not to panic. Whenever there's a mention of rising prices, government rushes to ban exports. We appeal to government not to impose a ban even if prices rise."