Mandi prices of onion and potato has declined in major producing belts in the country

5371. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA

          DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE

          DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.

          SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE

          SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE

          DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the prices of onions and potato has fallen drastically in the domestic market due to its bumper crop in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective steps taken by the Government to make sure that onion and potato farmers get optimum price for their produce;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the loss incurred by the onion and Potato farmers in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to provide any financial assistance to onion and potato farmers to pull them out of this crisis; and

(f) whether inadequate and improper storage facilities and lack of number of godowns in the country is one of the major reasons for suffering of farmers in the country and if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

(a) to (e) : The mandi prices of onion and potato has declined in major producing belts in the country. Bulk arrivals of Kharif and Late Kharif crops which are not suitable for storage has led to the fall in the onion prices. Similarly, good production of potato and bulk arrivals in the market has led to fall in its mandi prices. In order to support the farmers, the government has directed NAFED and NCCF to procure onion for simultaneous disposal in consumption centres outside the major producing States. Till 29.03.2023, the two agencies have procured total quantity of 26,602.26 MT. The government has also decided to procure and store 3.00 lakh metric tonnes of Rabi-2023 onion under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) for calibrated and targeted releases to stabilize prices during the lean season. In respect of potato, the government has sanctioned procurement of 10.00 lakh metric tonnes in Uttar Pradesh under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implements an umbrella Scheme, namely, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) under which it has released Rs.35.32 crore towards transportation and storage subsidy for onion and potato.

Apart from measures taken by the Central Government, major onion and potato producing states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have also announced support to the farmers.

 

(f) : The Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides grants-in-aid @35% of eligible project cost for projects in General Areas and @50% of eligible project cost for projects in Difficult Areas as well as for projects of SC/ST, FPOs and SHGs under PMKSY for setting up of food processing industries, including cold storage/ frozen store/ CA store/ godowns.

Source: Click here to view/download PDF

*****