ICAR-DOGR Organized Training for promotion of Kharif Onion Production in Uttar Pradesh

 

 

A training-cum-awareness programme was organized by ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune in collaboration with Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Lucknow (UP) on 25th May, 2021 through virtual mode. A total of 100 participants including Deputy Director Horticulture, District Horticulture Officers and Farm Managers of Horticulture Department of Uttar Pradesh and progressive farmers of Agrimitra Farmers Producer Company, Mirzapur attended the programme. Dr. Major Singh, Director, ICAR-DOGR, Rajgurunagar, Pune; Shri Manoj Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Horticulture, Govt. of UP; Dr. R. K. Tomar, Director, Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Lucknow (UP); and Dr. D. P. Yadav, Deputy Director Horticulture, Lucknow graced the occasion.

Dr. S. S. Gadge, Senior Scientist (Agril. Extension), ICAR-DOGR welcome the participants and briefed about training programme to the participants. Dr. D. P. Yadav, Deputy Director Horticulture, Lucknow introduced about participants from Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Lucknow (UP). Dr. R. K. Tomar, Director, Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Lucknow (UP) appreciated the efforts of ICAR-DOGR taken in technology development on onion and garlic and transfer in the country including Mirzapur (UP). Dr. Tomar described his departmental action plan regarding promotion of kharif onion cultivation in Uttar Pradesh. He requested to ICAR-DOGR regarding technical support and guidance to extend onion production in 5000 ha areas in UP including 2000 ha in kharif season during 2021-22.

Dr. Major Singh, Director, ICAR-DOGR, Rajgurunagar, Pune aware about importance of onion cultivation and said that the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh has immense potential for kharif onion cultivation. Dr. Singh assured farmers that the Directorate will continue to support onion cultivation in Uttar Pradesh and other suitable areas. Dr. Amar Jeet Gupta, Principal Scientist, ICAR-DOGR & Coordinator of the Training, gave PPT presentation on “Kharif Onion Production in Uttar Pradesh”. Dr. Gupta emphasized on the current situation of onion cultivation as well as livelihood security of farmers through commercial cultivation of kharif onion. Dr. Gupta also appreciated the farmers for adoption and their active involvement in cultivation of kharif onion in Chunar Tahsil of Mirzapur. The production and productivity of onion in Mirzapur have been remarkably increased by 93% and 32%, respectively after intervention of ICAR-DOGR technologies in collaboration with Agrimitra and GKRDF.

Shri Manoj Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Horticulture, Lucknow, Govt. of UP, said that India has achieved remarkable growth in onion production and scientists have good contribution in onion and garlic research and development in the country. There is need of more attention towards policy framework to mitigate price crises in onion. He appreciated the efforts by ICAR-DOGR in promotion of kharif onion in India especially in eastern parts of UP and suggested to his District Horticulture Officers to adapt improved onion varieties and technologies to extend kharif onion production in Uttar Pradesh. The programme was ended by vote of thanks expressed by Dr. Rajiv Kale, Scientist (Agril. Extension), ICAR-DOGR, Pune.