NEW DELHI: This year onions are not likely to bring tears as the government expects 17% rise in the onion output from last year. As per the second advance estimate, the production onion is likely to be 26.74 million tonnes in 2019-20 as against 22.82 million tonnes in 2018-19.
The second advance estimates also places total horticulture production in 2019-20 to be at 320.48 million tonnes – 3.13% higher than last year.
“There is increase in the production of vegetables, fruits, aromatics and medical plants and flowers due to good monsoon. However, the output of plantation crops and spices was lower than last year,” said a senior horticulture department official.
The official said that the production of fruits is likely to be 99.07 million tonnes as compared to 97.97 million tonnes in 2018-19.
“It is mainly due to increase in production of Banana, Apple, Citrus and Watermelon,” he said.
The production of vegetables is also likely to be higher in 2019-20.
“Due to higher production of onion, potato, okra, peas, and tomato, the total output is estimated to be 191.77 million tonnes as compared to 183.17 million tonnes in 2018-19.
The production of tomato is estimated to be 20.57 million tonnes – 8.2% higher than last year.
“Due to higher production and demand getting lower during lockdown, vegetables were traded at very low prices hurting the interest of farmers. Onions, which were traded at Rs 150-200 a kg in retail during last Diwali, was available at Rs 5-15 a kg during this time,” the official said.
| Total Horticulture | 2018-19 (final) | 2019-20 (second estimate) |
| Area | 25.43 | 25.66 |
| Production | 310.74 | 320.48 |
Area in million ha
Production in million tonnes
Source: Agriculture ministry
Source: indiatimes.com