Farmers in onion-producing states typically take three crops to feed the market during the year.
After banning the export of the vegetable itself, the government also decided to ban the export of onion seeds, after reports emerged of a shortage of seeds before the next planting season in the country.
On September 14, the government banned the export of onions because the bulb price crossed the “psychological” mark of Rs 30 per kg in Nashik wholesale markets. After an initial hiatus, wholesale prices have started to rise again and the onion is now trading above Rs 50 per kg in the retail markets. Farmers are planning to increase Kharif acreage due to more attractive prices at wholesale markets. Onion seeds are reported to be in high demand across the country.
Farmers in onion-producing states typically take three harvests to feed the market during the year. Therefore, Kharif and late Kharif crops are sown according to the monsoon, while summer or rabi crops are sown with soil moisture. The late Kharif crop is sown in October-November and harvested after November, while the rabi crop is sown in December and harvested after March. The destruction of the Kharif crop in North Karanataka has led to the current shortage and consequent price increases.
A direct consequence of the increase in wholesale and retail prices was an increased demand for onion seeds by farmers. Farmers typically use homegrown seeds, which they prepare and harvest as part of their regular cultivation. The seed collection work is carried out during the last Kharif harvest.
Last year, farmers preferred to sell their harvest rather than dedicate it to seed production due to delayed planting and relatively better onion prices in January-February. Jalna, Aurangabad, and Buldhana districts are the main centers of onion seed production and in these areas, farmers have reported poor seed formation due to declining bee populations. The onion is an open pollinator variety (OPV) and requires natural pollinators like bees and moths to physically transport pollen. On average, India annually records 2 lakh tonnes of onions for seed production.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.