Overview

• Maharashtra says onion output has reached about 170 lakh metric tonnes this year, roughly 55 lakh tonnes higher than last season.
• Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the Centre to double the export subsidy, and he reported a positive reaction from New Delhi.
• The state told NAFED to coordinate decisions on buffer releases after talk of sales above Rs 30 per kg triggered a price drop, with traders reacting to the announcement.
• District-level vigilance committees under collectors have been activated to check hoarding and profiteering, and APMCs have been asked to act against rumour-driven price manipulation with errant traders facing licence cancellation.
• As a longer-term step, the government plans solar-powered dehydration projects to process about one lakh tonnes into powder and chips through farmer groups and women’s self-help groups for export.