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Onion Farmers Protest Against Brokers’ Price Manipulation, APMC Shut Down

Onion

In Belagavi, a sudden and vigorous protest by onion farmers led to the shutdown of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), with growers alleging that brokers are manipulating prices to their disadvantage. The farmers claimed that brokers are deceiving them by offering the same prices for both high-quality onions and those that are damaged, resulting in significant financial losses for the growers.

The protest unfolded as farmers blocked the main gate of the APMC, causing a backlog of hundreds of trucks waiting outside. APMC officials quickly convened an emergency meeting with the farmers in an effort to address their grievances and mediate a possible resolution.

Javed Denge, a farmer from Mudhol Taluk, expressed his frustration during a media interaction. He highlighted the sharp drop in onion prices over just one week, stating, “Last week, we sold onions for ₹5,000 per quintal, but this week, the rate has fallen to ₹1,500-2,500. It costs us ₹1,600 to grow one bag of onions, but now we’re getting only ₹1,000-1,200. We’re suffering a loss of ₹400 per bag.”

The farmers are calling for fair pricing practices that reflect the quality of their produce rather than lumping all onions together under a single price point. They argue that the current pricing strategy not only undermines their efforts but also threatens their livelihoods. The situation has escalated to a point where farmers feel compelled to take direct action to make their voices heard.

The protest in Belagavi sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by farmers against market exploitation by brokers. As negotiations between the APMC officials and farmers continue, the outcome will be pivotal in determining how pricing practices in the onion market may evolve and whether farmers can secure fair compensation for their hard work.

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