Centre sets July 31 deadline for Nafed, NCCF to meet 2L metric tonne onion procurement target

Department of Consumer Affairs set July 31 deadline for NCCF and Nafed to procure 2 lakh metric tonnes of onions from Nashik farmers.

As of July 25, 2026, NCCF and Nafed have purchased 70,000 metric tonnes of onions since starting procurement on May 15.

Procurement centres in rural Nashik increased from 25 to 50 to encourage farmer participation.

Government raised procurement price three times from initial offer to encourage sales, but wholesale mandi prices (over ₹2,500/quintal) still exceed agency offer (₹2,125/quintal).

NCCF branch manager Harsha Kamini confirmed efforts to meet deadline, but Maharashtra State Onion Producers Association president Bharat Dighole claimed farmers remain reluctant due to higher mandi prices.