Bengaluru: The sharp fall in onion prices across Karnataka has left farmers in tears, with rates plunging to as low as ₹2 per kg in several APMC markets including Davangere, Bagalkote, and Gadag. Over the past month, prices have steadily dropped, pushing farmers into severe financial distress.
In Davangere APMC Market, small-sized onions are being sold for ₹2 per kg, medium-sized for ₹3, and large-sized bulbs for barely ₹4. Farmers say the earnings don’t even cover transport and labour costs, with some estimating losses of ₹50,000 per acre.
“I brought 180 sacks of onions to the market. Small ones fetched ₹2, medium ₹3, and large ₹4. After paying ₹18,000 for transport and ₹4,000 for labour, I’m left with nothing,” said a dejected farmer from Bagalkote, showing his sales receipt.
Farmers have demanded that the state government immediately announce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and initiate market intervention to prevent further losses. Many say the glut in arrivals and weak procurement by wholesalers have led to the crash.
The price collapse follows a bumper harvest this season, which, coupled with poor demand and high transport costs, has triggered one of the steepest declines in recent years. Agricultural experts warn that if immediate steps are not taken, onion farmers may abandon cultivation next season, worsening rural distress across north Karnataka.
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