ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru designed and developed set of machinery for cultivation of onion. These machinery includes onion seed extractor, onion seeder, onion set planter, onion harvester, onion detopper and grader. The Institute also developed technologies for onion value added products and suitable varieties. Kadur region in one of major onion growing areas in Karnataka State and the onion varieties and machinery of ICAR-IIHR has been widely demonstrated in this region and adopted by farmers. A field day cum demonstration was organized on “Machinery and Technology for Onion Cultivation and Processing” at Giriyapura village, Kadur (Tk.), Chikkamagaluru (Dt.), Karnataka on 21.09.2021. The programme was organized under the projects on “RKVK- Dissemination of horticultural production technologies through integrated extension approach for enhancing livelihood of farming community” and ICAR- CRP on Farm Mechanization and Precision Farming, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru in collaboration with Primary Agriculture Credit Co-Operative Society Ltd., Giriyapura.
Dr. R. Vekatta Kumar, Principal Scientist enumerated the importance of programme and welcomed the gathering. Dr. S.I. Athani, Director of Extension, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot emphasized on the need of adopting technologies from Research Institutions and the effective extension methods. Dr. B.N. Srinivasa Murthy, Director, ICAR-IIHR delivered the presidential address and mentioned about the merits of adoption of newer IIHR technologies and necessity to utilise the Government Schemes like Kisan card, subsidy schemes etc. Dr. A. Carolin Rathinakumari, Principal Scientist illustrated the machinery for onion cultivation. Dr. S. Bhuvaneswari, Principal Scientist gave information on Technologies for value added products and storage of onion. Shri.G.M. Sandeep Kumar, Scientist explained about integrated pest management practices in onion crop and Dr. B.R. Raghu spoke about the onion varieties of ICAR-IIHR and their agronomical practices. Dr. T.S. Aghora, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer PME Cell, Dr. G. Senthil Kumaran, Principal Scientist, Dr. B. Balakrisha, Principal Scientist, Officers from Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka participated the panel discussion and clarified farmers queries. Board of Directors, President, CEO and Members of the Primary Agriculture Credit Co-Operative Society Ltd., Giriyapura Village participated in the programme. Plastic crates and tarpaulin sheets were distributed to 20 beneficiaries under SCSP funds of ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru. About 200 farmers attended the programme and witnessed the demonstration of Arka Onion seeder and Arka onion detopper cum grader. The event was coordinated by Dr. G. Senthil Kumaran, Principal Scientist and Dr. A. Carolin Rathinakumari, Principal Scientist, Division of Post Harvest Technology and Agricultural Engineering.
