Agriculture Minister, Pearnel Charles Junior, has rubbished allegations that local onion farmers were unable to market their produce, due to an influx of imported onions.

Several onion farmers in St Thomas met with the Minister on Wednesday (March 29) to find solutions for the sale and marketing of their produce.

The meeting, which involved several representatives from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and several prospective buyers, ended with agreements for the purchase of the onions.

A storage facility has also been identified for the excess produce.

However, the situation prompted the Opposition’s call for the Government to provide an explanation regarding its reasons for allegedly issuing onion import permits after it encouraged the farming sector to increase onion production.

Addressing the matter at the Farmers’ Month launch in Kingston this morning (March 31), Mr Charles jr suggested that the marketing situation highlights the outstanding yield and strides farmers continue to make in onion production, and not that too many onions are being imported.