IRRADIATION OF ONION

• Object is to control losses due to sprouting of onions during prolonged storage.
• Irradiation facility is planned to be setup at key onion growing centers in the State.
• Farmers co-operative societies and or private entrepreneurs are encouraged to take up such projects.
• The irradiation technology has been developed at BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Center).
• Benefits include economic gain due to reduced sprouting losses which could be as 10 - 15%.
• A pilot unit has been set up at Lasalgaon by BARC and ready for imminent operation.
• A farmer's cooperative in Ahmednagar district come forward to set up a project.
• Govt. of Maharashtra has accepted a proposal for funding from NCDC for the project