However, prices have since declined and farmers now fear they could even dip below the breakeven level. An all-party agitation was led by local Congress leader Datta Shirsat, Shiva Sena leader Kedu Patil Salkthe and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kailas Sonawane, blocking the highway in protest.

Later, a delegation submitted a memorandum to the Niphad tehsildar to demand that the farmers' electricity bills be waived and power be supplied round-the-clock. Onion prices have been declining and soon they will fall below Rs 500 per kg, causing heavy losses to the farmers, for whom cultivation costs have trebled.

The downtrend in wholesale prices at theLasalgaon marketyard has kindled strong apprehensions among farmers, who now fear prices would dip below the breakeven level. The Shetkari Mazdoor Sanghatana, which represents farmers and agricultural labourers, has organised a bandh in Lasalgaon on January 5 to demand that the export ban be lifted. According to the sangh's Secretary, Laxman Pagar, the cost of production has escalated to Rs 10 per kg against the earlier Rs 2.50.

The wholesale price at Lasalgaon declined to an average Rs 651 per quintal (Rs 6.50 per kg) today, the price ranging between Rs 501 and Rs 697 per quintal. Prices have remained below the four-digit figure since the last two weeks.