NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT- ONION STORAGE STRUCTURE SUBSIDY SCHEME :

Maharashtra State produces 25-30% onion of the total production of the country. Maharashtra State contributes about 80-85% in the total onion export. Out of the total onion production in the State, 10-15% onion production is in Kharif season, 30-40% production is in Late Kharif and 50-60% production is in Rabi/Summer season.

Generally onion produced in Kharif and Late Kharif season is not suitable for storage while onion produced in summer season can be stored upto 5-6 months and it can be brought in the market during rainy season i.e. from June to October.
There are certain problems which arises during conventional storage of onion viz. loss in weight, sprouting and rotting of bulb. To overcome these losses onion must be stored in scientific manner and its prices.
MSAMB with the help of NABARD and National Research Centre for Onion and Garlic, Rajgurunagar has developed revised plan for scientific onion storage (Kanda chawl) to promote onion producers for scientific onion storage. The onion storage as per this plan will minimize the storage losses and quality deterioration of the onion which will in turn help the farmers to fetch better prices for their produce. To encourage the farmers for setting up of scientific onion storage systems, MSAMB has formulated the subsidy scheme for scientific onion storage. Under National Agriculture Development Project Govt. of India, MSAMB has submitted a proposal for implementing the subsidy scheme for scientific onion storage. To get benefit of this scheme farmer should erect onion storage structure according to proposed plan only. The construction cost of the onion storage structure is assumed at Rs. 6000/- per MT for this scheme. As per the scheme, subsidy 25% of the construction cost or to the extent of Rs.1500/- per MT storage capacity. The onion storage structure of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 & 50 MT capacity are eligible for subsidy. Under National Agriculture Development Project MSAMB will give Rs.1500/-subsidy for above mentioned capacity of onion storage. The scientific drawing on modern lines and cost estimates for onion storage structures are available at free of cost with Head Office, Divisional Offices of MSAMB and District De[uty Regisrar, Assistant Registrar, Co-operative Societies & Agriculture Produce Market Committee.


BENEFICIERIES OF SCHEME :

The main beneficiaries of this scheme implemented by MSAMB are farmers, Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Onion Growers Co-op Soc., and Marketing Socs.

DETAIL PROCEDURE TO SUBMIT PROPOSAL :

Cooperative Department of Maharashtra State is going to implement this scheme for onion storage structure of 5, 10, 15, 20. 25 & 50 MT capacity of onion storage structure. Farmers who want to construct 5, 10, 15, 20. 25 & 50 MT capacity onion storage structure should submit their application in the office of Assistant Registar Cooperative Soc. Office after the completion of onion storage structure in priscribe format. Representative of Marketing Board and Assistant Registrar Co-operative society will inspect the received proposals and inspect the onion storage structure. The Joint Committee of the representative of Marketing Board and Asst. Registar will recommend the subsidy for those farmer who have completed onion storage structure work as per reccomended norms. Then the committee under District Deputy Registar will recommend the proposal to MSAMB with Joint inspection report of representative of Marketing Board & Asst. Registar co-operative society. The MSAMB will grant Ts. 1500/- per M.T. subsidy to the these beneficiries.

RELEASE OF SUBSIDY :

The proposals of subsidy for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 & 50 MT capacity onion storage structures Rs. 1500/- per MT will be granted. The subsidy amount will deposited in the certain bank by cheque for those who have borrowed money from that bank for construction of the structure. The beneficiaries who have constructed the structure with their own money will get the subsidy amount by cheque, which will be sent by Register Post as per the address mentioned in the application form of the beneficiries

For more information please contact:

Head office Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board, Plot No.R-7, Market yard, Gultekadi, Pune-411 037. Phone- 020-24261190,24268297	Regional Office Old Cotton Market Yard, Amrawati -444 601 Phone:(0721)2573537
Regional Office Near Jafargate Market Committee Shopping Center, Ist Floor, Aurangabad  Phone:(0240)2334168	Regional Office New Cotton Market Yard, Opposite S.T. Stand, Ganesh Peth, Nagpur- 440 018 Phone:(0712)2722997
Regional Office APMC Market Yard, Dindori Naka, Pachwati,Nashik Phone:(0253)2512176	Regional OfficeAPMC, Market Yard,Latur, Phone:(02382)243613

CONSTRUCTION OF ONION STORAGE STRUCTURE:

Modern onion storage structures have been so planned to aerate the onions from all sides. Following points to be followed during its construction.

1. It is necessary that lower base of onion storage structure should be raised from the ground level by 1.5' to 2.00' for that the foundation should be laid out according to soil type. Pillar height should be 1.5' to 2'.
2. Skeleton of structure should be rest on these pillars and it should be made up of iron angles/wooden material. Lower base can be made up of iron angles wooden battens. Its breadth should be a 5'.
3. Side wall should be made up to bamboo battens/iron angle with the support and help of iron angles. Its height should be 5'. Bamboo battens/iron angles should be so arranged that onions should not come out of it and also proper air circulation should be made which should be at 5' height.
4. Height of roof of onion storage structure should be 2' above onion stored. For roof iron/cement/Manglore tiles should be used. Material of roof should be heat resistant. Also, according structural design roof should have sufficient slope.
5. To avoid droplets rain water and sunlight, sides of roof should be sufficiently projected outside and also same from direction of rain (south-west).

Do's and Don'ts able for onion storage structure:

1. Site selected for onion storage structure should be well drained and should be easily accusable to good road. Ill drained and deep site should be avoided.
2. Onion storage structure should be naturally ventilated from lower and other sides. Circumstance for natural ventilation should be avoided or minimise.
3. There should not be tall civil work close to structure. Tall civil work should be 1.5 times height of onion storage structure away from onion storage structure.
4. The width of onion storage structure should be 610 cm. for natural air circulation. In high humid area width of storage structure should be less otherwise there should be provision of mechanism for air circulation. The width of onion storage structure should not be more.
5. The length of onion storage structure should be right angle to the direction of wind (East-West). While constructing onion storage structure the length of structure should not be in the direction of wind.
6. Windward side of storage should have closing system during storm and heavy rain and opening facility when necessary. During storm and heavy rain windward side of storage should not be open.
7. The sides of the roof should be sufficiently forwarded to avoid rainwater and to resist heat. The sides should not be short.
8. There should be heat resistant material at the upper side of roof of onion storage structure. Do not use galvanised iron sheets for roof.

Onion storage structure of 25 M.T. Capacity:


Onion storage structure of 50 M.T.Capacity: