Kisan Sangoshthi on extending kharif onion production in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh

29th September 2022, Varanasi

Onion is an important vegetable crop consumed throughout the world. Owing to this aspect, ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune organized a Kisan Sangoshthi on commercial cultivation of onion in collaboration with the GKRDF, Varanasi and Agrimitra FPC, Mirzapur in the premises of ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi today.

Dr. G. Kalloo, Ex-DDG (Hort.) ICAR and Ex-VC, JNKVV, Jabalpur, in his presidential address, stated that there is immense scope for onion cultivation in Mirzapur. He emphasized higher yield from onion cultivation and doubling the farmer’s income by integrating it with the cultivation of other vegetables.

On this auspicious occasion ‘Technical Folder as well as a Documentary Film on “Extending commercial cultivation of onion in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh: A Success Story” was released the Dignitaries.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Major Singh, Member, ASRB, New Delhi and Ex-Director, ICAR-DOGR, Pune highlighted the importance of onion cultivation in Purvanchal and emphasized to promote cultivation of kharif onion to stabilize price fluctuation during September to February.

The Special Guest, Dr. T.K. Behera, Director, ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi also focused on to extend commercial cultivation of onion and both the institutions jointly assured to cooperate with the farmers through GKRDF and Agrimitra FPC.

Dr. V. Mahajan, Director (Acting), ICAR-DOGR, Pune urged the farmers for promotion of onion cultivation in Purvanchal. He focused to adapt scientific cultivation with proper planning looking into the market demand.

Dr. Amar Jeet Gupta, Pr. Scientist, ICAR-DOGR, Pune spoked about spreading the kharif onion cultivation in Mirzapur and adjoining areas.

Dr. Gupta also briefed about demonstrations and trainings conducted by ICAR-DOGR and its impact on commercial cultivation of onion in targeted areas from 2017 to 2022. The production and productivity of onion in Mirzapur have increased significantly by adopting the technologies developed by ICAR-DOGR.

On this occasion selected farmers were honoured with certificates for their excellent work in onion cultivation.

About 400 farmers including 260 women farmers from different parts of Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Kushinagar and Ballia districts of Uttar Pradesh and Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh participated in the program.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune)