ECONOMICS OF STORAGE OF ONION IN SIKAR DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN

A study was undertaken to examine the economics of storage in onion supply chain in the Sikar district which is one of the major onion growing district of Rajasthan. A total sample size of 75 onion growers was taken from Sikar district. In Sikar district generally farmer's store onion in storage (under ambient conditions) in the months April to September every year after harvesting the onion crop. The out of the total quantity of marketed surplus (11595.20q), 3556.25q onion produce was stored by the onion growers (30.67 per cent) in onion storage at farm level by the sample farmers during April to September, 2011 period at different locations in Sikar district. 15.96% of onion is lost during storage period owing to post harvest losses. Maximum return from onion marketing was received during September month (36.01%) due to shortage of produce in market. An overall average profit of 12.82% was obtained by onion growers during six months storage period. The major reasons for storing onion by farmers were for home consumption (95.7%) and to reap benefits of higher prices (91.3%). Majority of farmers (65.2% %) adopted improved methods of storage. About 91.3% farmers reported that lack of knowledge about proper scientific methods for storage of onion was the major problem faced by farmers.