India, March 31 -- Onion farmers across Maharashtra have called for immediate government intervention as farm gate prices of the crop have collapsed, driven in part by disruptions to exports amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, a key destination for Indian onions.

The sudden contraction in overseas demand has exacerbated a domestic glut, pushing prices to levels that, farmers say, make even harvesting and transportation unviable.

Prices in Maharashtra's mandis (wholesale markets) have crashed to as low as Rs 300-Rs 800 per quintal, a level that farmers say is devastating given that the average cost of production stands at approximately Rs 1,800 per quintal.

At these rates, growers cannot recover even basic post-harvest expenses. In ...