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Onion seed price shoots up to Rs. 3,000 a kg

M. Gunasekaran

Production hit by floods in Cuddalore district It was Rs. 500 last year; production hit by flood in Cuddalore district

RYOTS' WOES: Onion crop at a field at Kullampalayam, near Gudimangalam in Coimbatore district. — Photo: M. Balaji

UDUMALPET: Though the heavy rain has revived the hopes of onion farmers here for a better crop yield this season they now face a strange problem. They find it very difficult to get seeds of small onion.

Shortage

Mainly farmers in Pongalur, Sultanpet, Pethamppampatty, Palladam and Udumalpet areas cultivate onion. The price has touched Rs. 3,000 a kg from Rs. 500 a kg last year. Even if a farmer is willing to buy at this price, it is not not available in the market. The seeds are mainly produced in Cuddalore district. Though it is not certified by the Agriculture Department, farmers buy it, as its yield is good.

The recent flood in Cuddalore district has affected the production of seeds.After a transplantation period of 45 days, it starts producing a yield in 100 days. One kg seed is needed to raise crop in an acre. On an average it gives a yield of 10,000 kg of small onions from an acre.

"The onion seed is a product that was recently introduced. Farmers prefer this to pulp onions for its yield and low investment. Though it did not carry any Government authorisation, we are selling just because farmers like it much,'' says a trader. He says he has advance booking for this variety. With water available in plenty, the onion cultivation area is expected to go up but the non-availability of seeds has become a hindrance now, says a farmer.

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