🧅 Solapur Poised to Become India’s New Onion Nerve Centre as Maharashtra Pushes Policy Reforms

 

Proposed terminal aims to cut losses, stabilise prices, and boost domestic and export trade

Solapur is on track to emerge as India’s next major onion powerhouse, with a Maharashtra government committee recommending the creation of a large, integrated onion terminal in the city. The move is part of a broader draft policy seeking to bolster infrastructure, empower farmers, and streamline the onion trade — a crop that shapes both economics and politics in India.

A Strategic Hub Between North and South India

At a high-level meeting chaired by Pasha Patel, President of the State Agriculture Costs and Prices Commission, officials underlined Solapur’s strategic advantage. The city receives onion inflows from multiple parts of Maharashtra and lies at the crossroads of North–South trade routes, making it a natural fit for a centralised trading and distribution hub.

Alongside Lasalgaon in Nashik — India’s largest onion market — Solapur’s APMC already wields influence in price discovery and inter-state movement. The proposed terminal is expected to complement Lasalgaon by providing scale, storage, and logistical muscle.

A Modern Terminal with All Facilities Under One Roof

The committee suggested building an integrated facility equipped with:

• Scientific storage systems
• Sorting and grading units
• Weather-protected infrastructure
• Facilities to reduce post-harvest losses
• Support for domestic and export logistics

With traditional storage options frequently exposed to weather fluctuations, representatives from the Onion and Garlic Research Centre stressed the urgent need for scientific solutions. They estimate that up to 5,000 tonnes of onions could be saved annually with better storage—critical in a commodity where price crashes or spikes can shake economies.

Economic and Political Weight of the Onion

Onions harvested in both kharif and rabi seasons are central to India’s food ecosystem. Rabi onions, forming nearly 70% of annual output, have longer storability—provided humidity and temperature are well managed.

Without ideal conditions, even rabi onions last only 2–3 months, and rotting bulbs quickly trigger:

• Consumer anger
• Farmer protests
• Policy intervention from state and central governments

This scenario has played out repeatedly from Lasalgaon to Delhi, reflecting the crop’s outsized political influence.

Consultations Before Final Policy Rollout

The committee plans to conduct extensive farmer consultations before finalising recommendations for the State government. Farmers’ insights will be crucial, given their frontline experience with storage gaps, market volatility, and logistics challenges.

Committee member Deepak Chavan noted that Solapur’s transformation into a modern onion hub could significantly enhance India’s domestic trade and strengthen its position in the global export market.

Infrastructural Readiness Already in Place

Dilip Mane, Chairman of Solapur APMC, said the market yard is ready to spearhead the terminal project and already possesses much of the required infrastructure. Maharashtra remains the dominant onion producer, accounting for over 35% of India’s output in 2023–24, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 17%.

A Major Milestone in Onion Sector Reforms

If the proposal moves forward, Solapur could become the country’s newest onion command centre—helping stabilise prices, cut wastage, and strengthen national supply chains. The terminal would also give farmers greater control and ensure more predictable incomes, marking a significant step in modernising India’s onion economy.