Belagavi, April 1: A steep decline in vegetable prices at the Belagavi Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has pushed farmers and traders into distress, forcing many to dump unsold produce within the market yard.
For more details : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/farmers-traders-hit-as-vegetable-prices-plunge-at-belagavi-apmc/articleshow/129933305.cms
The sudden price crash is being attributed to a sharp drop in demand, largely due to hotel closures and reduced consumption linked to rising commercial LPG cylinder prices. Ongoing West Asia tensions and a halt in exports to Goa have further worsened the situation, creating a significant gap between supply and demand.
Market activity, which saw a brief boost during the Ugadi and Ramzan festivals, has declined drastically over the past two to three weeks. Officials report that demand from hotels has fallen by nearly 75%, leaving vegetables such as tomatoes, radishes, carrots, cabbage, and leafy greens unsold.
Onion farmers have been among the worst affected. With exports to countries like Kuwait and Dubai coming to a standstill, prices have plummeted from ₹2,500–₹3,500 per quintal to just ₹500–₹1,500. In the last two days alone, around 11,000 quintals of onions have arrived at the market, further driving down prices.
Belagavi district, along with neighbouring areas of Maharashtra, has around 20,000 onion farmers cultivating crops across 4,000 hectares. With harvests complete and storage options limited, many farmers are unable to hold back their produce despite poor market rates.
The cost of onion cultivation ranges between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 per acre, with an average yield of 5–8 tonnes. However, farmers say transportation expenses and input costs are eroding any potential profits.
Farmer leaders have urged both state and central governments to intervene by fixing a minimum support price of ₹4,000 per quintal and procuring onions to stabilize the market. They warn that without immediate action, the ongoing crisis could deepen further, severely impacting livelihoods.
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