An innovative onion storage structure

Abstract

India is the second largest producer of onion contributing about 20% of the world production. Onion is cultivated both during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The latter is preferred by the farmers for its superior quality, larger and uniform bulb size, and better storability. However, incidence of unseasonal rainfall, unstable market prices, lack of adequate storage facility leads to distressed sales and spoilage of onions. This necessitates the development of low-cost durable storage structures at a farmers’ field. Therefore, a single span hut shape structure (60’ L × 5’ B × 7’ H) with east-west orientation has been developed using MS pipes, metal wire mesh, tarpaulin/shade net etc. Such innovative on-farm, affordable, and sturdy storage structures are ideal for storing about 30 tonnes of onions for six months during the summer when the market is always glutted. This structure also helps in maintaining a better micro-climate for enhancing shelf-life and minimizing storage losses. Onion stock stored in such structure shall help to get
assured price to farmers and maintain market stability during the lean period of August to November of the year.