In a major relief for consumers grappling with rising vegetable prices, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) has begun retail sale of onions at Rs 19 per kg across the Delhi NCR region, significantly lower than the prevailing market rates of Rs 25 to Rs 35 per kg.
The initiative is being implemented on behalf of the Department of Consumer Affairs as part of the government’s market intervention strategy to stabilise prices while ensuring fair remuneration for farmers.
Launching the initiative in New Delhi, NCCF Chairman Vishal Singh said the onions have been sourced from Nashik and stored using advanced controlled atmosphere cold storage combined with irradiation technology. This technology, recommended by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, is currently being piloted by the Government of India to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure year-round availability of essential commodities.
Vishal explained that after four months of storage in CA cold stores, the Grade A Rabi onions have retained their quality, colour and taste. These pink-coloured Rabi onions are known to be sweeter and milder compared to the red Kharif variety typically available in the market.
Highlighting the broader objective of the intervention, NCCF Managing Director Anice Joseph Chandra said the initiative demonstrates how modern storage and supply-chain innovations can help manage sharp price fluctuations in agricultural commodities. She noted that such efforts help protect consumers from inflationary pressures while simultaneously safeguarding farmers’ incomes by preventing distress sales during periods of surplus. According to her, the onion sale reflects a balanced and sustainable approach to price stabilisation.
Chandra also recalled NCCF’s earlier intervention in the tomato market, when the federation sold tomatoes at Rs 40 per kg at a time when retail prices had surged to Rs 60–Rs 80 per kg. That initiative, she said, had provided significant relief to households and underscored the role of cooperatives in protecting consumer interests during episodes of extreme price volatility.
The onions are being sold through NCCF’s mobile vans operating across key locations in Delhi NCR, in addition to the federation’s retail outlet at Nehru Place. Sales are also being conducted at outlets located in prominent metro stations, including Udyog Bhawan, Rajeev Chowk and Patel Chowk.
The mobile vans are covering residential and commercial areas such as Model Town, Yamuna Vihar, Wazirabad, Shalimar Bagh, INA Market, Sangam Vihar, Badarpur Border, Okhla, Dhaula Kuan, Moti Bagh, R K Puram, Sarojini Nagar, Vikaspuri, Karol Bagh, Punjabi Bagh and Krishi Bhawan, ensuring wide access across north, south, west and central Delhi.
Looking ahead, NCCF said it plans to expand the availability of essential food items under its ‘Janah’ brand. These products will be sourced directly from farmers’ enterprises, ensuring quality assurance, fair prices for producers and affordable rates for consumers, further strengthening the cooperative model in the retail food sector.
