Commercial onions are grown by Ilam farmers
Growing onions is a top priority for farmers in Ilam; this year, Prakash Parajuli produced up to 4,000 kg. But he is unable to reach the goal. Parajuli planted 1,000 grams of seeds using 25,000 from Sandakpur Rural Municipality and 25,000 from himself, making a profit of Rs. 150,000 last year. He intends to sell onions when prices increase. Recognizing the potential for profit, Parajuli started growing onions commercially last year, encouraging other farmers from Sandakpur Rural Municipality-2 to do the same.
This year, locals Bhim Khatiwada, Chetnath Sapkota, Bishnu Khanal, and Thakur Niraula also began producing onions. Between 15 and 16 men’s worth of onions have been produced by each of these growers. About 200 kg of onions were planted on two ropanis of land by Sambed Chapagain of Ilam. According to him, selling their onions is not a market issue. The village’s onions are sold at the local market, he added.
On roughly three ropanis of land, Mohan Subedi of Maijogmai-5 had also planted onions. “We produced about 400 kg of onions this year,” he said. The district’s municipalities—Suryodaya Municipality, Rong Rural Municipality, Ilam Municipality, and Deumai—all include farmers who make a living from growing onions. Data from the Agricultural Knowledge Centre in Ilam indicates that onions are grown on 115 hectares of land in the area. Last year, the district generated an estimated 1,974 tons of onions, according to the center.
