District Collector P. Ranjith Basha confirmed that the State government has set a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,200 per quintal (US$144/ton) for onions delivered to market yards. He stated that if traders pay below Rs 12 per kg (US$0.14), the government will deposit the difference directly into farmers' bank accounts.
Speaking at a press conference alongside SP Vikrant Patil, Basha advised growers to dry onions properly before marketing and to avoid premature harvesting. He reported that onions were cultivated on nearly 31,000 acres (12,545 ha) this year, with an estimated yield of 1.5 lakh metric tons (150,000 MT). So far, 11,174 tons have been procured through MARKFED and market yards. On September 3, 1,600 tons arrived, of which 800 tons were procured, with the remaining expected to be purchased shortly. He urged farmers not to be influenced by misinformation on the issue.
On the supply of urea, the Collector said that 3,200 tons are currently available, with an additional 2,600 tons due within two days. Compared with last year, 8,000 tons more have already been distributed. He noted that five FIRs have been filed against illegal diversion of urea, three licenses suspended, and 402 tons of fertilizer worth Rs 1.5 crore (US$180,000) seized.
Authorities are monitoring 172 outlets, with 70% of urea routed through government-run centers and 30% supplied via private dealers.
Source: Hans India
