In Andhra Pradesh’s Tadepalligudem market, onion farmers from the erstwhile Kadapa district are distressed over the steep fall in onion prices. They said they were forced to sell their produce at just ₹5–₹10 per kilogram, which barely covers even transportation costs. In contrast, onions arriving from Maharashtra fetched higher rates between ₹12 and ₹18 per kilogram, leaving local farmers disappointed and helpless.
The farmers lamented that despite good yield, they are unable to get a fair price for their hard work. Earlier, the state government had intervened and purchased onions at ₹1,200 per quintal to support struggling farmers.
However, with prices crashing again, cultivators are urging authorities to announce a stable support price to prevent further losses and to protect the livelihoods of thousands of small and marginal farmers dependent on onion cultivation.
