India’s onion production is estimated to hit a new record at 20.3 million tonnes in the 2015-16 season, as favourable weather and better prices boosted acreage and crop yields, a government research body has said. Onion production had dropped to 18.9 million tonnes in 2014-15 (July-June) due to poor rains. The previous record was 19.4 million tonnes in 2013-14.
Better prices during the summer season encouraged farmers to plant more onions in the winter season,” said National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) Director, R P Gupta. Favourable weather conditions have also encouraged the rabi crop prospects and yields are expected to be better than last year, he said, adding unlike last year, there were no unseasonal rains and hailstorm this time.
Onion was grown over 1.2 million hectares this season, slightly higher than the 1.17 million hectare last year. The NHRDF chief said total rabi output is estimated to be higher by 15-20 per cent as compared to a year ago.
Around 4.5 million tonnes of onions are expected to be stored this year, due to availability of good quality onion bulbs in the market.
Growers are getting an average Rs 8 per kg in Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, Asia’s biggest wholesale market for onions, and earning a minimum 20 per cent profit over the cost of production.
