For the first time in recent history, over 20 consecutive days of unseasonal rain have wreaked havoc on onion farmers in Maharashtra, with significant losses reported across key producing districts, particularly Nashik, the country’s largest onion-growing region. The continuous rainfall, which began in early May, has not only damaged standing onion crops but also spoiled harvested produce, leaving thousands of farmers in distress.

Bharat Dighole, founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Producers Farmers Association, told mid-day, “Rain in May isn’t unusual for farmers, but this time, it has continued for more than 20 days with increasing intensity. This prolonged spell has caused unprecedented damage. Nobody warned us it would last this long.”