TAD NewsDesk, Trichy: The horticulture department is planning to distribute onion saplings among the farmers as an alternative to onion bulbs to fulfil the demand for small onion is growing.
Under a special scheme under the national horticulture development programme, the horticulture department is preparing onion seedlings to distribute among the farmers. The department claims that once the distribution process is over the price fluctuation could be stabilized.
The department is working on a nurturing plan in Trichy which covers an area of 500 acres of land.
According to an official, preparations are on to raise seedlings at the state horticulture farm located at Thorakkudi in Manikandam block and at the centre of excellence for tropical fruits in Marungapuri in Trichy district.
Moreover, the government is also providing a subsidy of Rs 20,000 subsidy per hectare to onion farmers under the scheme of hybrid vegetable area expansion under the national horticulture mission. Farmers will be given two lakh onion seedlings per hectare for the subsidy.
Deputy Director of the horticulture department, Trichy C Vimala said
“On a trial basis, we have already raised onion seedlings in 25 acres.”
She further added that
“Farmers store a major portion of onion bulbs as seed every year. However, due to natural calamities like rain, they could not keep them safe for a long time. This would create demand for the seed as well as scarcity in the market for culinary purpose. When farmers start to use seedlings instead of the bulbs – the traditional method of cultivating small onions, they need not keep a major portion of their produce and also avert revenue loss.”
The officials said that the farmers would be able to save nearly 30 days in the process. earlier it used to take around 70-80 days for the bulb to become mature for harvest.
Source: Times of India
