HP Krishi Vigyan Kendra suggests kharif onion as solution to price hike
SHIMLA: At a time when onion prices are skyrocketing, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Berthin, has suggested solution in the form of kharif onion also known as summer onion. It has suggested that kharif onions should be grown during the summers to meet the demand and tackle shortage, so that Himachal does not have to import onions from other states.
In its efforts to provide onions at reasonable rates, Krishi Vigyan Kendra has been promoting kharif onions since 2006-07. Local farmers are being supplied with onion varieties like N-53, agrifound dark red and trained about kharif onion production technology. Promotion of cultivation of kharif onions are also done through radio and Doordarshan.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra has claimed that kharif onion can be sold as green onion during the month of October to boost the income of farmers.
Kharif onions can be grown in lower hills of the state, including Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Una, and there are some farmers who are already cultivating kharif onion, it said. In North India, onions are grown during Rabi season, but Kharif onion is not popular among farmers.
Berthin Krishi Vigyan Kendra assistant professor Dr Ravinder Singh said “Not many farmers are familiar with the fact that onion can also be grown during Kharif season. We have been trying to reach out to farmers and promoting Kharif onion through radio and Doordarshan, so that maximum farmaers could benefit from the information.”