In a bid to boost onion export, the Centre has decided to give 5% benefit of Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) to onion exporters. The scheme has come into effect from July 13 and will continue till January 12, 2019, says a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Farmers, traders and the agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) at Lasalgaon had been demanding the incentive for onion exports. The Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board had also sent a proposal to the Centre around two months ago, seeking 5% incentive for onion export to stop drop in onion prices. “The move will benefit onion exporters. The maximum onion export from the country is from Nashik district. Hence, it will benefit onion exporters in our district in a big way. It will also help stabilise onion prices, which will help the farmers.