Effort to preserve onion for a long time, government is taking this big step

The government is planning to significantly increase the radiation processing of onions this year to create a buffer stock of 1,00,000 tonnes as it aims to address the shortage and price rise of the politically sensitive onion, an official said. The growth has to be stopped.

According to government estimates, production in the world's largest onion exporter is expected to decline by 16 percent to 25.47 million tonnes in 2023-24 due to low yields in key onion-producing states Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

To discourage hoarding and curb price volatility that often occurs due to supply disruptions, the government is planning to use irradiation technology on a large scale to extend the shelf life of onions, Consumer Affairs Ministry Secretary Nidhi Khare said. Making plans.

Khare told PTI that we are identifying 50 radiation centers around consumer areas. If we are successful, we will be able to store up to 1 lakh tonnes of radiation-processed onions this year.

The ministry has requested that the state organizations NAFED and NCCF locate irradiation facilities in the vicinity of major cities such as Mumbai, Sonipat, Thane, and Nashik. This year, NAFED and NCCF are buying 500,000 tonnes of onions to build up a buffer stock.

A growing region in Maharashtra saw an attempt at 1,200 tonnes of small-scale radiation processing last year. According to Khare, the ministry is also thinking about establishing controlled atmosphere storage facilities at significant railway hubs to enable the prompt transportation of buffer stock.

In order to protect supplies after shortages brought on by hoarding and drought, the government previously outlawed the export of onions and frozen a sizable portion of the crop.