BackECONOMY
Nashik farmers worried amid crop infection crisis
Onion farmers in Nashik face a fungal disease threatening ready-to-harvest crops, even as wholesale prices stay low. Officials plan a survey to assess damage, while some farmers report significant losses; exports to the Middle East are also affected by regional conflict.
Why It Matters
The development highlights ongoing financial stress for Nashik onion growers and potential impacts on supply and prices.
Timeline
9 Events
May 14, 2026: Rohit Pawar to visit Lasalgaon to engage with growers
May 14, 2026
NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar is likely to visit Lasalgaon on April 18 to interact with onion growers and understand the extent of their financial distress.
May 14, 2026: Exports to the Middle East affected by regional conflict
May 14, 2026
Onion exports from Nashik to Middle Eastern countries have been hit by the ongoing conflict in the region, with rising shipping costs prompting exporters to hold back consignments.
May 14, 2026: Onion production cost cited
May 14, 2026
Officials said the production cost of onions is about ₹1,800 per quintal.
May 14, 2026: Lasalgaon APMC price and arrivals
May 14, 2026
The average wholesale price at Lasalgaon APMC is around ₹1,100 per quintal, with daily arrivals between 12,000 and 15,000 quintals.
May 14, 2026: Onion growers' association leader calls for government aid
May 14, 2026
Bharat Dighole, president of the state onion growers’ association, said the fungal outbreak has worsened farmers’ distress and urged the state government’s intervention.
May 14, 2026: Shinde reports substantial crop damage in Satana taluka
May 14, 2026
Subhas Shinde, a farmer from Satana taluka, said the fungal infection damaged more than 40% of the 1,200 quintals of onions he cultivated on his farm, with part damaged before harvest and the remaining stock damaged during storage. He had invested ₹5 lakh to grow onions.
May 14, 2026: Early assessment suggests the disease is not widespread
May 14, 2026
Mane said initial feedback is that the fungal disease is not widespread, with a small number of farmers affected.
May 14, 2026: Survey to assess damage planned by district agriculture department
May 14, 2026
District agriculture officer Ravindra Mane told HT that the department will conduct a survey in rural Nashik to assess the extent of the damage.
April 2026: Unseasonal rains trigger fungal infection in Nashik onion crops
April 2026
Unseasonal rain and hailstorms in parts of rural Nashik triggered a fungal infection in onion crops, causing leaf spotting, yellowing and rotting of onion bulbs.