India: Maharashtra onion growers welcome Vadhvan agri market, seek Nashik as national export hub

• Vadhvan agri market seen boosting onion exports, rural economy
• Nashik is India’s onion capital, making it ideal for dedicated export hub

Maharashtra’s onion growers have welcomed the state’s plan to establish an international-standard agricultural market near the upcoming Vadhvan port in Palghar, saying it will strengthen agricultural exports, food processing, employment, and the rural economy. However, they have urged the government to also develop Nashik as a national onion export hub to ensure farmers directly benefit and strengthen India’s global onion trade.

Nashik proposed as dedicated onion export hub

The Maharashtra State Onion Growers’ Association said Nashik, India’s onion capital, contributes significantly to the country’s onion production, trade and exports, making it the ideal location for a dedicated export hub. Founder-President Bharat Dighole urged the government to directly connect Nashik with the proposed agri market, located about 40 km from Vadhvan Port, to improve export competitiveness.

Growers seek export infrastructure and policy support

The association said onion farmers continue to face volatile prices, export restrictions, inadequate storage, high transportation costs, and limited access to global buyers, often forcing them to sell below production cost.

It has demanded a dedicated onion export terminal, a logistics corridor linking Nashik and Vadhvan port, a stable five-year onion export policy, incentives for onion processing industries, greater FPO participation in exports, an Onion Export Promotion Cell, and the upgradation of the proposed National Onion Bhavan into a national training and export guidance centre.

Dighole termed the government’s decision historic and urged authorities to involve onion growers, agricultural universities, exporters, experts, and FPOs while preparing the project’s blueprint.