onion Inventory: Govt procures 3 lakh tonnes of onion for buffer inventory; 20% greater than final yr

Within the 2022-23 fiscal, the federal government had maintained 2.51 lakh tonnes of onion as buffer inventory.

The buffer inventory is maintained beneath the Value Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to fulfill any exigencies, if charges go up considerably through the lean provide season.

“To fulfill any eventuality within the pageant season, the federal government this yr developed a sturdy buffer to an extent of three lakh tonnes. There isn’t any downside with onions,” Singh advised PTI.

Onion that’s procured for the buffer inventory is from the simply accomplished rabi season. Presently, the kharif onion sowing is underway and its arrival begins in October.

At present, Onion is being procured from the simply accomplished rabi season. The sowing of Kharif onion is underway and its arrival will begin in October.The Secretary stated, “Normally, onion costs within the retail markets come beneath strain for 20 days or so until the contemporary kharif crop hits the market. However this time, there will not be an issue.”Along with the Division of Atomic Vitality and the Bhabha Atomic Analysis Centre, the Client Affairs Ministry is testing a know-how for storing onions within the meantime.

“On a pilot foundation, we’re experimenting with onion irradiation of 150 tonnes with gamma radiation from Cobalt-60 at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra. This may enhance the shelf lifetime of onions,” Singh stated.

In 2022-23, the federal government had procured a report 2.51 lakh metric tonnes of onions from Rabi-2022 crop beneath the PSF and launched it in main consumption centres throughout September 2022 and January 2023.

65 per cent of India’s onion manufacturing comes from Rabi onion harvested throughout April-June. It meets the shoppers’ demand until the Kharif crop is harvested in October-November.

In line with authorities information, the common onion retail value throughout the nation was Rs 26.79 per kg on July 15; the utmost value was Rs 65 per kg, and the bottom value was Rs 10 per kg.

(With inputs from PTI)