India is one of the largest producers of onions in the world, and several states in the country are known for their onion production. Here are the top states in India in terms of onion production:
Maharashtra: Maharashtra is one of the biggest onion-producing states in India. The state is known for producing good quality onions that are in high demand both in domestic and international markets.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Maharashtra produced 5.32 million tonnes of onions in 2020-21, which accounted for 29.8% of the total onion production in the country. The major onion-producing districts in Maharashtra include Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Solapur, and Aurangabad.
However, onion production in Maharashtra has been affected by several factors, such as weather conditions, pest attacks, and market fluctuations. In recent years, there have been instances of onion crop failure due to unseasonal rains and floods, which have led to a rise in onion prices and created a shortage in the market.
The Maharashtra government has taken various measures to support onion farmers, such as providing subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation, and setting up onion storage facilities to prevent wastage and ensure a steady supply.
Karnataka: Karnataka is one of the major onion-producing states in India. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the state produced around 3.3 million tonnes of onions in the 2020-21 crop year. This accounts for around 14% of the total onion production in India.
The major onion-growing regions in Karnataka include Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Dharwad, and Bidar. These regions have suitable climates and soil conditions for onion cultivation.
Onion cultivation in Karnataka is primarily done in the rabi season, which starts in October and ends in March. Farmers in the state use both traditional and modern farming techniques to grow onions. They also use drip irrigation, which helps in conserving water and improving crop yield.
Onion production in Karnataka has been growing steadily over the years, and the state is expected to continue to be a major contributor to onion production in India.
Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest onion-producing states in India. As per the 2019-20 data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Madhya Pradesh produced 3.87 million metric tonnes of onions, which was around 16% of India’s total onion production.
Onions are mainly cultivated in the districts of Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur, Vidisha, Ujjain, and Harda in Madhya Pradesh. The state government has taken several measures to boost onion production, such as providing subsidies for onion seed and fertilizers, providing irrigation facilities, and promoting the use of improved farming techniques.
Onion cultivation in Madhya Pradesh is also affected by various factors such as irregular rainfall, pests and diseases, and market fluctuations, which can affect onion production and prices.
Gujarat: Gujarat is one of the leading onion-producing states in India. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Gujarat produced around 2.8 million tonnes of onions in the year 2020-21, which was around 18% of India’s total onion production.
The major onion-producing districts in Gujarat are Banaskantha, Mehsana, Junagadh, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, and Surat. The state is known for producing different varieties of onions like red onion, white onion, and yellow onion.
The cultivation of onions in Gujarat is primarily rain-fed, and the state experiences two cropping seasons for onions – Kharif and Rabi. During the Kharif season, onions are sown in June-July and harvested in November-December. During the Rabi season, onions are sown during November-December and harvested during April-May.
Apart from being a major producer of onions, Gujarat is also a major exporter of onions to other countries. However, in recent years, onion production in the state has been affected by factors like unseasonal rains, crop diseases, and fluctuating market prices.
Bihar: Bihar is a state in eastern India that is known for its agricultural produce. While the state produces a variety of crops, including rice, wheat, maize, and pulses, onion production is not a significant contributor to its agricultural economy.
According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Bihar produced around 2.3 lakh metric tonnes of onions in the year 2020-21, which is a relatively small amount compared to other onion-producing states in India.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are the top onion-producing states in India, and they collectively account for around 70% of the country’s onion production.
It is worth noting that onion production in India is often subject to fluctuations due to various factors such as weather, disease outbreaks, and government policies. Therefore, the onion production figures can vary from year to year.
Other states in India that are significant onion producers include Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
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