Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: India’s recurring onion price crises exemplify the intersection of structural agricultural inefficiencies, speculative market practices, and flawed policy interventions. This viewpoint investigates the causes of extreme price swings in India’s onion markets, focusing on systemic vulnerabilities such as hoarding, infrastructure deficits, and inconsistent governance. Drawing on empirical data from government reports, agricultural studies, and market analyses, we argue that speculative trading and political collusion exacerbate natural supply-demand imbalances, disproportionately harming smallholder farmers and consumers. By prioritizing decentralized solutions like blockchain-enabled farmer cooperatives and solar-powered micro-storage, this viewpoint demonstrates how empowering local communities can result in retaining profits within rural economies and fostering climate-resilient agricultural systems. These strategies align with circular economy principles and address intergenerational equity by curbing the migration of youth out of farming regions.
Author: Ashutosh Sharma
Institution: Fisher College
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $500
OpenAlex ID: W4411195926