Govt considers importing onion: Agri Secy

The government is likely to give permission of onion import soon if the price of this kitchen item continues upward, said Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akhter.

Wahida made the announcement while discussing on the price hike of onion at the conference room of the ministry in the secretariat on Sunday.

“If the price of onion goes upward, the government will soon consider allowing onion import which is remaining suspended in the interest of the growers,” said the agriculture secretary.

There is no reason to increase the price of onion at this time as the ountry has a stock of some 18.30 lakh tons against the demand of 26-28 lakh tons, she said, adding the price is rising a little bit.

She presented the overall situation including production, demand and import of the onion.

Wahida Akhter told the meeting that the Agriculture Ministry is monitoring the onion market continuously.

The government temporarily suspended the onion import this year for raising the local production, she added.

Among others, additional secretary Rabindra Sri Barua, DAE's Director General Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) M Masud Karim, Deputy Secretary (Extension Department) Munsur Alam were present in the meet.