Heavy rains in six districts since of Tamil Nadu state in November have ruined the cultivation of pearl onions. An estimated 80 per cent of the onion crops have been destroyed by the unexpected rainfall. As a result, the prices are skyrocketing in several districts of the state.
Pearl onions are also known as Sambhar onions, small onions and baby onions. They are available in both red-purple and white skinned varieties. Villages Velur, Chathiramanai, Vanapady, Kalarampatti, Chettikulam, Irur, Alathurgate, Padalur and Sridevimangalam in Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, and Tiruvallur districts were some of the areas where pearl onion crops were heavily affected due to rains.
The Tamil Nadu government’s horticulture department announced a subsidy of Rs 20,000 per hectare for growing pearl onions in 2020. Grants of Rs 3,500 were also announced for cold storage of the crop.
[ Rs 100 = €1.10 ]
Source: downtoearth.org.in