Onion prices have already doubled in the past two weeks and now this rainfall deficit is leading to speculations in the market. (File photo)
As the rainfall deficit in Madhya Pradesh continues to be over 40 per cent, thousands of farmers in the Malwa region are worried. The monsoon this year has not only been three weeks late in the state but for the past one month rains have been insignificant delaying onion farming. To top that onion seed prices too have doubled.
40-year-old Ramswaroop Patidar owns 10 acres in Dupada village of Shajapur and supports his family of 10. In January his crop (onion) was damaged due to unseasonal rain and hail storms and he faced a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh.
This season too, thing are not looking up.
Farmlands which should have been lush green with onion saplings are barren as the onion seeds have not been sown since rain has be elusive.
Ramswaroop Patidar, a farmer, told NDTV, "In January I tried producing onion seeds in January but it was damaged. This time I will be buying onion seeds."
Pawan Agarwal, a seed vendor, told NDTV, "Onion seeds right now are being sold between Rs 1000 and Rs 3200 per kg. Compared to last year it has gone up by 2.5 per cent as this year seed production has been less."
Onion prices have already doubled in the past two weeks and now this rainfall deficit is leading to speculations in the market.
Dev Shankar Lala, a wholesaler of onions, says," By October onion prices are expected to go up to Rs 60-70 per kg.
Agriculture experts say there is still some hope as using modern techniques onions can be sowed even by August. Agriculture scientist Dr Rajeev Umath told NDTV, "If it rains in the next few days there is hope as onions can be sowed till August. Using drip technique onions can be grown but those who are only dependent on monsoon may be affected."