Onion Cultivation Drops Sharply in Rayalaseema With Poor Rainfall
Kurnool district, which produced around 7.5 lakh tonnes of onions across two seasons last year, may not produce even one lakh tonnes this time.
Kurnool: Onion farmers across Rayalaseema are facing a bleak season, with a sharp decline in cultivation due to poor rainfall because of El Niño conditions. The impact is most visible in Kurnool district, the traditional onions’ hub in Andhra Pradesh.
Farmers say delayed and inadequate rains have severely hit sowing of onions this year. In Kurnool district alone, onion cultivation has dramatically dropped from the normal 21,000 acres to less than 2,100 acres this season. Nursery growers are incurring heavy losses due to lack of buyers.
“Usually, onions are cultivated under both rain-fed and borewell conditions. But this year, there is no water even for nurseries,” said a farmer from the region.
Onions from Kurnool are known for their superior size, colour, and shelf life, making them highly sought after in the market. However, with cultivation shrinking, production has taken a severe hit. The district, which produced around 7.5 lakh tonnes of onions across two seasons last year, may not produce even one lakh tonnes.
Due to the shortage of local produce, traders have started sourcing onions from other states. “We are bringing onions from Maharashtra and Gujarat as there are hardly any local arrivals in the market,” said trader S. Mahaboob Basha from Emmiganur.
A similar situation prevails in Nandyal district, where the crop has been raised over less than 250 hectares against a normal area of 2,450 hectares this kharif season, significantly reducing output.
Retail onion prices are beginning to rise. Onions are currently being sold at Rs 40 per kg, compared to Rs 25 per kg about a month-and-a-half ago. “Prices are increasing rapidly. We are worried about how high prices might go in the coming days,” said C. Varalakshmi, a homemaker from Rajampet.
With local production dwindling, traders are increasingly relying on the produce from Maharashtra. Market sources said nearly 2,000 tonnes of onions have arrived in Kurnool markets from Maharashtra in the last 15 days. The wholesale price is around Rs 2,400 per quintal. After grading and transport, onions are being sold locally for Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg.
Traders warn that the situation could worsen if rainfall does not improve soon. “If drought-like conditions continue, onion prices are likely to surge further in the coming months,” market observer said.
“I usually cultivate onions on eight acres every year. This time I have not taken up any cultivation so far due to lack of water,” said K. Veeranna, a farmer from Maddikera in Kurnool district.
