Training cum demonstration of “Onion detopper and ICAR-IIHR technologies for improved vegetable cultivation including Onion” was organized to create awareness among the onion growing farmers of Nammakal district in Tamil Nadu in collaboration with Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops Namkkal, Government of Tamil Nadu. The programme was organized under SCSP of ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru from 6-7 th July, 2023 at Pachal and Thottamudiyanpattui villages of Puduchathiram and Erumapatty blocks of Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu.
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 de-topper and grader. The Institute also developed technologies for onion value added products and suitable varieties. Nammakal district in Tamil Nadu is major multiplier onion growing areas in Tamil Nadu.
Dr. G. Senthil Kumaran, Principal Scientist enumerated the importance of onion machineries and demonstrated Arka Onion de-topper machine to the onion farmers. Dr.V.Sankar, Principal Scientist gave information on ICAR-IIHR technologies for improved vegetable cultivation practices including Onion. Dr.R.Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist elaborated fruit crop and soil health management technologies. Er. P. Murugesan, Executive Engineer, Agricultural Engineering Department, Namakkal emphasized to utilise the various government schemes related to onion cultivation and other horticultural crops. Officers from Department of Horticulture and Plantation crops , Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Th. K. Ganesan, Deputy Director, Mr Kandasamy and Dr Vasu, Assistant Directors of Horticulture), Namakkal participated the panel discussion and clarified farmers queries. Both the programmes were attended by more than 256 participants including farmers, FPO members, KVKs Scientists, SHG members, Agricultural Engineers, Horticulture officers and ATMA Members. The event was coordinated by Dr. G. Senthil Kumaran, Principal Scientist, Division of Post Harvest Technology and Agricultural Engineering, Dr.V.Sankar and Dr.R.Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientists of Division of Social Science and Training, ICAR-IIHR, Bangalore.
