Food
In response to farmer objections, the Centre purchases “historic” quantities of onions
In response to the backlash caused by the imposition of a 40% export duty on onions, the Modi government has swiftly taken steps to mitigate the situation. Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal revealed on Tuesday, two days after the duty was enforced, that the government is implementing measures to counter the impact.
Goyal announced that the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) will engage in the procurement of an additional 2 lakh tonnes of onions. Notably, these cooperative bodies will purchase the onions at a notably high rate of Rs 2,410 per quintal, which is being touted as a historic pricing level. The minister emphasized that these organizations are open to procuring even more quantities if deemed necessary.