Tamil Nadu farmers take to onion cultivation

DHARMAPURI - Onions usually make a person cry when he or she cuts them but these very vegetables seem to be an index of joy for the farmers in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri regions of Tamil Nadu.

They are hopeful of a profitable harvest this year as the demand for onions has increased in the market.

Onion cultivation is a seasonal choice of occupation for farmers of south India as October to November provide favourable climate for them.

Farmers in Dharmapuri district alone are cultivating turmeric and small onions since both these commodities fetch good prices in the market.

Mukundan, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Government of Tamil Nadu, says the farmers are earning rupees 15,000 per acre.

The farmers are using fewer seeds of 400 kilograms within a low investment of rupees 5,000 including fertilisers and labour charges.

The yield is around 2500 kilograms which will fetch a profit of rupees 15,000 to 30,000 per acre.

“Last year, I had cultivated three acres which fetched me a profit of rupees 2635500 without labour expenses. This year I would expect rupees 4392500 to 8785000 within 6 acres,” said Chennasamy, a farmer.

Karnataka is a major competitor with Tamil Nadu in cultivation and trade of small onions.

As the second largest producer of small onions in the country, Karnataka produces over 22 percent share of the total onion production.

Small onions make up for over 75 percent of the total onions produced in the Tamil Nadu.

The price of these onions has increased from rupees 12 per kilogram in May to rupees 16 per kilogram in June due to the shortage in the market. (ANI)