Malerkotla dist emerges onion sapling pioneer

Malerkotla district has emerged as a pioneer in supplying saplings of onion.

Advertisement

Farmers and horticulturists from several districts of Malwa throng nurseries situated along the Raikot road and Patiala road.

Scarcity of onion in the international market has further resulted in increased demand of saplings.

Raman Singh of Jandali Kalan, a nursery owner, said demand for procurement of onion saplings had increased substantially following the reports of hike in prices due to its scarcity at international level.

“We have started receiving online orders from far-off places of Malwa and adjoining districts of Haryana and Rajasthan,” said Raman, adding that advance orders had been places as farmers fear further hike in price due to rain forecast.

He said workers had been advised to check the increase in moisture level of the soil as it damages the seedlings.

Karnail Singh, an onion grower from Patran, said he along with other cultivators had already deposited advance payment for securing the seedlings. “As we are yet to prepare high bed for transplanting onion, we placed an online order,” he said.

Saplings of Pro 6 and Naroya Punjab varieties were in great demand, added Karnail.

While Punjab has emerged as one of the major onion producing state, India tops the list of onion growing countries in terms of area under cultivation. However, India trails China in terms of production of onions.