Koksara: Onion farmers in this block in Kalahandi district are a disappointed lot as they have failed to get right price for their crop due to lack of storage and marketing facilities.
There is an increase in onion cultivation in this block. Reports said farmers in Gotomunda, Sanapodaguda, Temra, Kashibahal, Puphga, Mahima, Gambhariguda, Badapodaguda, Baradanga panchayats cultivate the cash crop for a long time.
According to private estimates, over 9,500 quintals of onion were harvested under this block this year.
However, farmers are forced to sell their produce at a price of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per quintal to local traders due to lack of marketing and conservation facilities.
Farmers alleged they carry on cultivation even though they do not get incentives and seeds from the state government at the right time.
Farmers alleged this year they were forced to buy seeds and fertilisers from the open market at higher prices due to their unavailability in government-approved stores.
Observers claimed farmers do not get right price for their harvest corresponding to their labour and money.
According to data available from Koksara horticulture department, 51 farmers in the block were given 105 kg of seeds in 2019-20 fiscal. Last year, the harvest was 130 to 150 quintals per hectare while the total production was over 2000 quintal.
The seed supply went down in 2020-21 fiscal as 53 farmers were supplied with 70 kg of seeds. However, that failed to stop the farmers in achieving their goal as 170 to 190 quintals of onion was harvested per hectare of land.
A horticulture official said that 53 farmers have cultivated onions on 14 hectare of land but the harvest was over 2660 quintal this year.
The government record says onion cultivation was taken up on 14 hectares but in reality the cultivation was taken up over 50 hectares beyond the government estimate. Farmers claimed this situation could be avoided if the government takes care to establish a cold storage in the block.
The establishment of cold storage will help in solving onion scarcity in the state, they added.
When contacted, Tapan Kumar Patra, assistant horticulture officer in Koksara said onion seeds are being supplied to farmers at subsidized rates while some farmers are being given training in storing onions for a long period.
Moreover, the state government has also a provision of subsidy for construction of small conservation chambers for onions for the benefit of farmers.
PNN
