The production of onion is expected to surge in the state due to timely monsoon as well as proper usage of pesticides and insecticides by farmers to prevent pest attacks  Farmers in Karnataka are pinning high hopes of witnessing rise in onion production this year. Favourable climatic conditions have been one of the key reasons behind high production of the commodity. In the latter half of 2009, onion production was affected due to droughts followed by heavy rainfall. However, timely onset of monsoon this year has facilitated production of almost all crops including onion. This year farmers in Karnataka had also taken precautions by using pesticides and insecticides to prevent crops from pest attacks that lowered overall onion production in the state last year. Moreover, usage of high quality seeds is also expected to further enhance the quality of onions in the state.
According to Arvind Rao, director of Jayesh Ltd, a mid-sized agro product dealer and supplier in Bengaluru, “Application of sulphur during crop production would help to improve yield of onions. Additionally, usage of weedicides would prevent the weeds from damaging the crop.”
Need for adequate cold chain facility
“With onion production likely to increase in the state, storage capacity should be increased in order to prevent the commodity from being wasted in the open. Therefore, the government along with private players should set up low-cost cold storage chains to retain the quality of onions for a longer period of time, especially to benefit small and marginal farmers. These storehouses should have latest infrastructure and equipment to control temperature and humidity as the commodity can get damaged under extremely high temperature,” says Nagarjuna Swami, manager of Balaji Agro Products, a small-sized supplier and exporter in Mysore, Karnataka.
Impact on domestic market
For a while now, prices of onion have been soaring in the market due to low availability of the commodity. However, with prospects of high onion output this year, traders in Karnataka would be able to earn high profits by selling the commodity to other states. As a result, prices of the commodity are likely to stabilise, thereby helping consumers to purchase onions at reasonable rates.
Sabrina Mitchell |
