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:
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Red Onions – High demand in Indian and export markets (e.g., NHRDF-Red, Agrifound Dark Red).
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White Onions – Used in processing and dehydration (e.g., Agrifound White).
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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
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Temperature: 13-24°C during growth, 30-35°C for bulb maturity.
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Soil Type: Well-drained loamy soil with pH 6.0-7.5. Avoid heavy clay soils.
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Sunlight: Needs full sun for 10-12 hours daily.
Best Growing Seasons:
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Rabi Crop (Winter): Sown in Oct-Dec, harvested in April-May (Best for storage & high prices)
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Kharif Crop (Monsoon): Sown in June-July, harvested in Sept-Oct (Lower yield)
3. Land Preparation & Planting
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Plowing: Deep plow 2-3 times to make the soil loose.
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Fertilization: Add 10-20 tons of Farmyard Manure (FYM) per acre.
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Spacing:
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Row to Row – 15 cm
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Plant to Plant – 10 cm
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Depth – 1.5 cm deep
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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
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First irrigation – Immediately after planting.
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Subsequent irrigation – Every 7-10 days.
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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:
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Thrips & Onion Maggots – Use neem oil spray or organic pesticides.
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Cutworms & Leaf Miners – Apply biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Diseases & Control:
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Purple Blotch & Downy Mildew – Use Copper Fungicide (Bordeaux Mix 1%).
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Fusarium Rot – Avoid overwatering and maintain proper drainage.
6. Harvesting & Storage
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Harvest Time: 100-150 days after transplanting when tops turn yellow & fall.
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Curing (Drying): Dry onions in shade for 10-15 days for better shelf life.
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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
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Yield per Acre: 80-100 quintals (8,000-10,000 kg)
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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
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Wholesale & Retail Selling – Partner with markets in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
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Onion Processing Business – Make onion powder, flakes, or paste for export.
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Sell Online & Export – Platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, or local supermarket chains.
B. Cost Reduction & Yield Improvement
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Use organic fertilizers like cow dung compost to reduce input costs.
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Grow onions with intercropping (garlic, coriander) to maximize land use.
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Government Subsidies: Apply for NABARD & PM-Kisan Yojana schemes for loans & support.
9. Scaling Up & Long-Term Growth
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Expand to 5-10 acres once you have a stable market.
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Build cold storage to control supply & demand cycles.
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Export onions to Bangladesh, UAE, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka for premium prices.
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