THE ANNOYING ONION

THE ANNOYING ONION

Food Inflation has touched double digits again in India as it reaches 12.13%. And onions have been blamed.

     Onions are a basic ingredient in many Indian dishes - soaring prices in the past have sparked unrest. Prices have jumped to 70 rupees ($1.55; £0.99) per kg from 35 rupees last week.

    As a measure to keep the prices from fluctuating, the Government of India has banned onion exports. . The ban is until 15 January and India is importing onions to ease shortages. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters in Delhi, on Tuesday, that the situation would be back to normal in two to three weeks.

         Imports of onions have begun arriving in India from its neighbour and rival Pakistan, officials say.As many as 13 truckloads carrying dozens of tonnes of onions had crossed the border at Wagah to supply northern Indian markets, a senior customs official in Amritsar told the Press Trust of India.

THE PROBLEM

Indian onion crops have been damaged by unseasonal rains in the bulk producing western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat and in southern states. 

Prabhakar Bodke, a Maharashtra onion farmer was quoted saying - 

"It is going to be hard for us till August or September next year unless the government steps in to ensure a good price" 

The Government indeed needs to take steps to help improve the condition and they need to do it quickly.