According to IAPECC president Ajit Shah said "We are unable to export onions because of the faulty export policies, of the government and the creation of five canalising agencies and division of export quota amongst them,'' Further, Mr Shah said, we are surprised that the Maharashtra farmers and exporters have jointly contributed 80 per cent, of total onion production and 75 per cent of the exports respectively. Against this, the government has alloted only 20 per cent of the export quota to Maharashtra''. During 1999-2000, Maharashtra state exported around 5 lakh tonne of onions ``If the government removes the export quota, farmers in Maharashtra are ready to export around 6.5 lk tn in the international market during the current fiscal ending March 2001.'' Onion production in Mahahrshtra during 1999-2000, was 13,84,000 mt. In 2000-01 (upto January 2001) the production is said to be around 13,01,000 mt.

Mr Shah further said that due to the government's ``faulty policies'', the onion producers are worried and feel helpless because of rising production and declining prices. The confidence level of exporters too, has been shaken badly and some of them have even shifted their interest from onion to other products due to unsure export quota policies.

``Foreign buyers too, are a confused lot and India is fast losing out on export markets'', Mr Shah maintained. ``This has forced international buyers, to scout for their onion requirements to countries like Pakistan, China and Iran''.