Onion

Growing onions can be highly profitable, especially if you plan well and use good farming techniques. Here's a step-by-step business plan for onion farming.


1. Choosing the Right Onion Variety

Onions have three main types:

  • Red Onions – High demand in Indian and export markets (e.g., NHRDF-Red, Agrifound Dark Red).

  • White Onions – Used in processing and dehydration (e.g., Agrifound White).

  • Yellow Onions – Used in international markets and processed foods.

Best Varieties for Maharashtra & Gujarat: Bhima Shakti, Bhima Super, and NHRDF Red.


2. Climate & Soil Requirements

  • Temperature: 13-24°C during growth, 30-35°C for bulb maturity.

  • Soil Type: Well-drained loamy soil with pH 6.0-7.5. Avoid heavy clay soils.

  • Sunlight: Needs full sun for 10-12 hours daily.

Best Growing Seasons:

  • Rabi Crop (Winter): Sown in Oct-Dec, harvested in April-May (Best for storage & high prices)

  • Kharif Crop (Monsoon): Sown in June-July, harvested in Sept-Oct (Lower yield)


3. Land Preparation & Planting

  • Plowing: Deep plow 2-3 times to make the soil loose.

  • Fertilization: Add 10-20 tons of Farmyard Manure (FYM) per acre.

  • Spacing:

    • Row to Row – 15 cm

    • Plant to Plant – 10 cm

    • Depth – 1.5 cm deep

Tip: Transplant seedlings after 6 weeks for better yield.


4. Fertilizer & Irrigation Management

Fertilizer Requirement (Per Acre)

Fertilizer Quantity Application Stage
Farmyard Manure (FYM) 10-20 tons Before planting
Nitrogen (N) 50-60 kg Split doses: at transplanting & 30 days later
Phosphorus (P) 30-40 kg At planting
Potassium (K) 30-40 kg At planting

Irrigation

  • First irrigation – Immediately after planting.

  • Subsequent irrigation – Every 7-10 days.

  • Stop watering 10-15 days before harvest to improve bulb quality.

Drip irrigation is recommended for higher yields & water efficiency.


5. Pest & Disease Management

Common Pests:

  • Thrips & Onion Maggots – Use neem oil spray or organic pesticides.

  • Cutworms & Leaf Miners – Apply biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Diseases & Control:

  • Purple Blotch & Downy Mildew – Use Copper Fungicide (Bordeaux Mix 1%).

  • Fusarium Rot – Avoid overwatering and maintain proper drainage.


6. Harvesting & Storage

  • Harvest Time: 100-150 days after transplanting when tops turn yellow & fall.

  • Curing (Drying): Dry onions in shade for 10-15 days for better shelf life.

  • Storage Conditions: Keep in ventilated warehouses at 10-15°C.

Tip: Store onions for 2-3 months to sell at higher off-season prices.


7. Cost & Profit Calculation (Per Acre)

Investment Costs

Expense Cost per Acre
Seed Cost (5-6 kg) ₹3,000 - ₹6,000
Land Preparation ₹5,000 - ₹8,000
Fertilizers & Pesticides ₹8,000 - ₹12,000
Irrigation ₹3,000 - ₹5,000
Labor (Planting, Weeding, Harvesting) ₹15,000 - ₹20,000
Miscellaneous (Transport, Packing) ₹5,000 - ₹8,000
Total Cost ₹45,000 - ₹65,000

Expected Revenue & Profit

  • Yield per Acre: 80-100 quintals (8,000-10,000 kg)

  • Market Price: ₹10 - ₹50 per kg (Seasonal Variation)

Price Revenue (for 90 quintals) Net Profit
₹10/kg ₹90,000 ₹25,000
₹30/kg ₹2,70,000 ₹2,05,000
₹50/kg ₹4,50,000 ₹3,85,000

Tip: Selling onions 3-4 months after harvest can increase profits by 2-3x.


8. Business Strategy for Higher Profits

A. Direct & Value-Added Sales

  1. Wholesale & Retail Selling – Partner with markets in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

  2. Onion Processing Business – Make onion powder, flakes, or paste for export.

  3. Sell Online & Export – Platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, or local supermarket chains.

B. Cost Reduction & Yield Improvement

  • Use organic fertilizers like cow dung compost to reduce input costs.

  • Grow onions with intercropping (garlic, coriander) to maximize land use.

  • Government Subsidies: Apply for NABARD & PM-Kisan Yojana schemes for loans & support.


9. Scaling Up & Long-Term Growth

  • Expand to 5-10 acres once you have a stable market.

  • Build cold storage to control supply & demand cycles.

  • Export onions to Bangladesh, UAE, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka for premium prices.

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