Onion farmers protest on Mumbai-Agra highway against ban on exports

Mumbai: Hundreds of onion growers blocked the Mumbai-Agra highway at three places in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Friday after the Center announced a ban on export of this basic kitchen food, police said. The Center has banned onion exports till March 31, 2024, to increase national availability and keep prices under control. They have protested in the onion markets of Lasalgaon, Nandgaon, Pimpalgaon and Umrane in Nashik district during the last four or five days, an official said. He said that operations in these markets will remain closed on Friday as part of the protest. Hundreds of onion farmers gathered on the Mumbai-Agra highway and blocked the road with tractors at three places for some time, officials said. Officials said that after the call by Nashik police, the protesters dispersed peacefully and did not use force against the farmers. In August, India had imposed 40 percent export duty on onion till December 31.