The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) has purchased 2,826 tonnes of onions directly from farmers in the last four days, mostly from Maharashtra, as it aims to increase its buffer stock. The government has increased the onion buffer stock target from 3 lakh tonnes to 5 lakh tonnes this year. The NCCF and NAFED have been directed to procure 1 lakh tonnes each directly from farmers to prevent panic selling and control domestic prices.