Onion prices to drop in 3-4 days; steps taken to boost pulse production

Onion prices are anticipated to decrease by November 8, according to NCCF Chairman Vishal Singh. He told India Today that adverse weather had previously impacted onion crops, and the festive season has led to a labor shortage.
However, the situation is improving as red onions from Nashik Mandi are starting to arrive, along with new onion crops from Alwar reaching Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. This influx is expected to contribute to a decline in open-market onion prices.
The red onion crop is already reaching Nashik mandi, and onions from Alwar are set to arrive in Delhi and other northern markets by Tuesday.
Cooperative societies like NCCF and NAFED are intervening in the market by supplying their onion stocks to help lower prices. Despite this, onions are still being sold in the open market for Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg.
The NCCF’s mobile vans are selling onions at Rs 25 per kg, and they currently have 50,000 to 60,000 metric tons of stock available.
Last year, the NCCF procured 2.9 metric tons of onions, and while no target has been set for this year, Chairman Vishal Singh stated they are ready for procurement as needed by the government.
In conjunction with this, Union Minister of Consumer and Food Distribution Prahlad Joshi inaugurated the next phase of the Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice vans. Under this initiative, government-branded rice will be sold for Rs 34 per kg and wheat flour for Rs 30 per kg.
The Ministry of Consumer and Food Distribution has also launched sales of pulses and rice through subsidies facilitated by cooperative agencies and mobile vans.
The government is also focusing on reducing pulse prices and dependency on imports. Singh highlighted the need for government intervention to boost pulse production.
Cooperative societies, including the NCCF, have initiated a “Reach Out” program to register farmers for procurement of pulses at both Minimum Support Price (MSP) and market prices, depending on market conditions.
The NCCF has already registered 1.8 million farmers to enhance pulse production and ensure adequate procurement, ultimately stabilising market prices and reducing reliance on imports.