Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said his ministry had no direct role in cultivation of perishable items and was mainly concerned with cereals and sugarcane. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr Pawar said Agriculture ministry is concerned with production of foodgrains like rice, wheat, sugarcane and pulses and does not have any direct role in cultivation of vegetables. He said farmers themselves decide which crop to grow seeing the local conditions and which mandi to sell.

Agriculture minister, however, said onion prices have started coming down with increase in arrival from from Bhavnagar in Gujarat and Nashik (in Maharashtra). Mr Pawar said situation is substantially improving.

Despite the slide in wholesale rate of onion in Delhi’s Azadpur market, Asia’s biggest fruits and vegetables market, the retail price is hovering at 50 to 60 rupees a kilogram.

In the last six days, the wholesale price of onion has dipped by 18 rupees a kg in Azadpur market.