Karnataka onion thefts: Gadag farmers burn midnight oil to save pricey crop

BENGALURU: Farmers in the onion-growing regions of Karnataka, especially in Gadag district, are spending their nights in agricultural fields. Reason: Increasing number of onion produce thefts as its price has touched the skies. Farmers have formed small groups among themselves to keep a tight vigil.
Prakash K, a social activist from Gadag town, said the district is a major contributor to the onion production in the state.“Of the 2.72 lakh hectares of cultivable land in the district, onions are grown in about 1.25 lakh hectares. Rural parts of Gadag taluk like Ron, Nargund, Mundargi and Gajendragad are the prominent onion hubs. This time, owing to heavy rains and floods, the district has suffered 75% crop loss and given the demand. whatever yield is left, is akin to gold,” he added.
Prakash said, “Before taking onions to the market, farmers usually leave the yield in an open field so that they remain dry. But, a few miscreants are taking advantage of this to make some quick bucks. They usually come in autorickshaws during midnight and are stealing a few sacks. Onions are sold to the market at Rs8,000 per quintal. Bulb prices have breached RS100 mark in retail markets,” he added.
In the last one week, four cases of onion thefts have been registered in different parts of Gadag district. In Naregal in Gadag taluk, about 40 bags of onions were stolen during the last weekend. In Gajendragad, a farmer lost onions worth Rs80,000. There have been cases of miscreants vanishing with onion bags kept on the roadside for transport. According to sources in the Gadag SP office, about 300 quintals of onion has been stolen in the district so far, which is worth about Rs2.5 lakh.
Suresh P of Lakkundi in Gadag taluk said that he along with a few fellow farmers have been doing rounds in their fields to save their yield. “We are yet to recover from the losses due to low-yield of onions this season. Now, onion thefts have come as a shocker to us. We have complained to the cops, but we have to be very careful. We are also keeping fellow-farmers informed if we spot suspicious people or vehicles in the region,” he added.
In Naragund taluk, farmers have another problem. “There have been attacks on farmers returning from markets. Miscreants know that onion farmers will have huge sum. So, they are being targeted. We have requested the cops to increase the patrolling on major roads,” said Muttappa Y, a farmer.
Apart from Gadag, onions are grown in several districts in Dharwad, Bagalkot and Chitradurga as well. The onion produce from Karnataka usually hits the markets between October and December. Later, the supply from Maharashtra starts. This time, the yield is hit in Maharashtra as well. Traders say that all this has hit the market, thus resulting in price hike.