A group of farmers in Bellary district decided to take up the organic method of onion cultivation. Over the last four years, farmers in Kudligi, Hagaribommanahalli and Harapanahalli have grown onion organically and have managed to get huge yields.
They have successfully handled the problem of the bulbs rotting and the innumberable pests that attack the crop. They have managed to save huge amounts of money that would have otherwise gone into buying chemical fertilisers and manure.
The yield has increased by 25 per cent. Also, they have managed to grow other crops and make profits. What’s more, they conserve the onion for over two months giving them the power to negotiate prices in the market.
A group of farmers have come together to form the ‘Prayoga Parivara’ (a unit formed to experiment with the organic method of raising crops). Initially, only eight - ten farmers agreed to grow onion in the organic method. But, they discussed problems with experienced farmers, created charts for crop management and took steps to solve the
problem.
They also used natural fertlisers and organic concoctions to spray on their crops.
Also, they realised that the root of the problem lay in the quality of the seeds that were being sown.
They, therefore, identified the fields where good-quality seeds were available. The group also started growing other crops such as chillies, cotton, coriander, and other vegetable crops alongside the onion crop. This not only increased their income, but also checked the growth of weeds.
The organic method of farming which started off with ten farmers is today being followed by hundreds of small farmers in the region.
Those who started to grow onion on an experimental basis on one acre of land, extended it to several acres. This year, these farmers have managed to conserve the onion yield for over two months and earn as much as Rs 500 to Rs 700 per quintal.