📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / AnantGujratiwtn
Agriculture
Farmers Protest Low‑Grade Onions Routed Through Nashik for Nafed Procurement
✍️ timesofindia.indiatimes.com
🗓 02 Aug 2026, 10:04 AM
👁 1
Farmers from Madhya Pradesh allege that low‑grade onions were routed through Nashik into the National Food Security Mission (Nafed) procurement drive, sparking protests and calls for a review of the supply chain.
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh have raised concerns that onions classified as low‑grade were diverted through Nashik before being included in the National Food Security Mission (Nafed) procurement drive. The allegation suggests that the onions did not meet the quality standards required for the scheme.
The farmers claim that the onions were routed through Nashik, a major distribution hub, and then entered the Nafed procurement process, potentially undermining the integrity of the program. They argue that the inclusion of sub‑standard produce could affect the overall quality of the food security initiative.
In response, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture have said they are investigating the matter. They emphasized that the procurement process follows strict quality checks and that any deviation would be addressed promptly.
The protest has drawn attention to the need for transparent supply chains in government procurement schemes. Farmers are demanding a thorough audit of the route the onions took from Madhya Pradesh to Nashik and subsequent inclusion in the Nafed drive.
The situation remains under review, with authorities promising to ensure that only quality produce is procured under the National Food Security Mission.
The farmers claim that the onions were routed through Nashik, a major distribution hub, and then entered the Nafed procurement process, potentially undermining the integrity of the program. They argue that the inclusion of sub‑standard produce could affect the overall quality of the food security initiative.
In response, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture have said they are investigating the matter. They emphasized that the procurement process follows strict quality checks and that any deviation would be addressed promptly.
The protest has drawn attention to the need for transparent supply chains in government procurement schemes. Farmers are demanding a thorough audit of the route the onions took from Madhya Pradesh to Nashik and subsequent inclusion in the Nafed drive.
The situation remains under review, with authorities promising to ensure that only quality produce is procured under the National Food Security Mission.