Promotion of onion cultivation in Union Territory of Ladakh

21^st September 2022

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important commercial vegetable crop in India and it is extensively grown in Ladakh. Farmers of Ladakh grow onion crop for their self-consumption as well as for supply to the market or Army deployed in the region.

To overcome the problems of the onion growers regarding improved onion varieties as well as production and protection technologies, ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune have initiated and conducted field demonstrations on improved onion varieties during 2022-23 in collaboration with High Mountain Arid Agriculture Research Institute (HMAARI), SKUAST-K Leh and KVK, SKUAST-K Kargil-1. 

ICAR-DOGR conducted Training-cum-Awareness program on “Scientific Cultivation of Onion in Leh” in collaboration with HMAARI, SKUAST-K Leh under TSP today.

 A total of 78 tribal farmers including 57 ladies from different parts of Leh participated in the program.

Dr. V. Mahajan, Director, ICAR-DOGR appreciated the farmers of Leh for their interest and hard work for conducting field demos on improved onion varieties. He also briefed about the scientific cultivation of onion which will enhance productivity and income of farmers.

Earlier, Dr. M.S. Kanwar, Chief Scientist, HMAARI, Leh, in his welcome address elaborated the theme of the training program.

Dr. D. Namgyal, Associate Director, HMAARI, Leh appreciated the efforts of ICAR-DOGR in technology development for onion and garlic. Further, he urged to develop protection techniques for control of onion maggots.

Dr. A.J. Gupta, Nodal Officer, TSP emphasized on the current situation of onion cultivation as well as livelihood security of farmers through onion cultivation in Leh. He also appreciated the farmers for adoption and their active involvement in cultivation of onion in Leh and briefed about the importance and scope of TSP on livelihood development of tribal farmers.

Demonstrations conducted at the fields of various farmers were monitored and performance of all the demos on improved variety of onion were found to be in good conditions. However, onion maggots are the major problem in Leh and organically protection measures are the need of hour.

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