From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Nov 17: With onion prices crashing sharply in the local markets, the State Government has decided to announce procurement price for the commodity under the market intervention scheme in a day or two.

The prices of onion crashed to Rs 150 per quintal in Hubli, Dharwad, Chitradurga, Davanagere and other markets in north Karnataka districts causing severe distress to onion growers.

Onion growers observe bandh in Hubli

The issue was discussed in the State Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said and disclosed that the State Government will purchase onions under the market intervention scheme to help the farmers.

However, the procurement price under the market intervention scheme would be announced in a day or two, he said.

Earlier, former minister S K Bellubbi, BJP MLA, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minster D V Sadananda Gowda and Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi demanding immediate intervention of the government to purchase commodity from the growers.

Bellubbi said high production of the crop in Maharashtra and the loss of crop in Karnataka on account of erratic monsoon caused sharp decline in the prices of onion. Farmers sold onions at Rs 2,000 per quintal last year, he said.

The delegation mentioned that the Union Government’s decision to ban export of onion has come as a blow to farmers of the State as the prices of onion in the open market have crashed.

Karnataka produced 24.68 lakh tonnes last year. It was exported mainly to the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.