Onion and garlic are vital crops grown worldwide for their culinary, dietary, and medicinal benefits. In India, onions are harvested in three seasons: kharif (Oct-Nov, 20%), late kharif (Feb-Mar, 20%), and rabi (Apr-May, 60%). Kharif and late kharif onions are consumed quickly due to high demand, while rabi onions, harvested in large quantities, create a market glut and require storage for availability during price hikes in October-November. To ensure year-round supply and demand, proper planning is needed to improve productivity and bulb quality. India's average onion yield of 18 t/ha is low compared to other onion-producing countries, due to factors like poor seed quality, pests, diseases, and weather stresses. Improving crop management and storage practices can enhance productivity and stabilize prices for rabi onions.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Centre for Agricultural Technology Assessment and Transfer, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chomu, demonstrations of the Pusa Riddhi onion variety were successfully conducted in Aachhojai village, Jaipur, during Rabi 2023-24. TSP beneficiary farmers adopted this variety, which is compact, dark red, and rich in antioxidants. Released by SVRC in 2013 for Delhi & NCR, it has outperformed in Rajasthan with an average equatorial diameter of 4.8-6.3 cm and bulb weight ranging from 70-100 g. Known for its pungency, suitability for storage and export, and an average yield of 32 t/ha, the variety has shown impressive results. After training in onion cultivation practices, farmers achieved an average yield of 33.5 t/ha, 25-35% higher than previous crops.

The Pusa Riddhi onion variety has shown superior performance compared to local varieties, with higher yields and better market value. It also has excellent keeping quality. In terms of returns, farmers earned between ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per bigha (1,000 sq. meters), with a benefit-cost ratio ranging from 2.5 to 3.5. As a result of its success, all farmers in the village have expressed a strong demand for this variety in the current year.

(Source: CATAT, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jaipur-1)