Onion Growers Demand Maharashtra Government Show Urgency For Rain-Hit Farmers
On Saturday, July 11, 2026, the Maharashtra State Onion Growers' Association urged the Maharashtra state government to show the same level of urgency for rain-affected farmers suffering crop losses as it does for urban traffic disruptions, such as the recent landslip on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Bharat Dighole, the president of the association, highlighted what he described as a stark contrast in public and government response to temporary urban inconveniences versus the severe, recurring financial crises faced by rural farmers.
According to Dighole, while traffic delays in cities during heavy rains receive immediate attention, the devastating financial losses that farmers suffer due to recurring natural calamities and crashing crop prices are rarely met with equal concern. He noted that when traffic comes to a standstill in cities for a few hours, the entire state's attention is drawn to it, whereas the destruction of crops by excessive rains, hailstorms, unseasonal showers, floods, or drought rarely evokes the same level of worry.
Dighole pointed out that farmers regularly battle crop diseases, erratic weather patterns, sudden price crashes, and transport bottlenecks. These challenges often result in losses worth lakhs of rupees in a single day, yet farmers continue their work with resilience. He described the recent traffic disruption on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as a temporary problem caused by heavy rains, which can happen during major infrastructure projects or natural disasters.
Rather than politicising such incidents, Dighole suggested there should be constructive discussions on how to minimise future occurrences, strengthen emergency response systems, and reduce inconvenience to citizens. He also acknowledged that investments in expressways, roads, bridges, and tunnels ultimately benefit the public, including farmers, by improving connectivity and reducing transportation times and costs.
Efficient transport infrastructure is crucial for perishable farm produce like onions, vegetables, and fruits. Timely access to markets helps preserve the quality of these goods and improves the possibility of better financial returns for farmers. Dighole clarified that the association is not aligned with any political party and will continue to support measures that promote farmers' welfare, emphasizing that both cities and villages are equally important for the development of Maharashtra.
