Five modern onion godowns have come up in Perambalur district with financial assistance of the Agricultural Engineering Department. Being a pilot project, it envisages a subsidy of Rs. 4,000 per tonne capacity for setting up a godown.
The farmers of Perambalur district adopt a conventional method of storing onion in Pattarai which protects the onion from rain and shine. The base of the pattarai is at an elevated position and is covered with bio-material such as thatches and bamboos.
All around it is covered with hay. It is kept in the open in the fields.
Under the pilot scheme, a permanent shed is built over and above the pattarai . Although the old method can safeguard the produce from showers, it cannot withstand any heavy downpour.
Hence, as an improvised storage procedure, the subsidy is being provided. Thus the new attempt will be an added facility without altering the conventional strategy.
Moreover, the recurring cost for the purchase of bamboos, hay, thatches and so on can be avoided.
For the modern godowns, the farmers will have to incur only the initial expenditure.
Perambalur is a major producer of shallot (small onions). When the prices are not remunerative, farmers preserve the onions in pattarai and wait for the right time to sell it.
While, the pattarai can protect the produce for three months, the duration of storage under the pilot project is doubled, according to N. Rajendran, assistant executive engineer, Agricultural Engineering Department.
This is an economical scheme and the experts from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University – Agricultural Engineering College are expected to visit the godowns and offer their suggestion.
Ravichandran of Irur has set up a 12 tonne capacity godown in the village at a cost of Rs. 1.2 lakh. The government has released a subsidy of Rs. 48,000 to him, Mr. Rajendran said.
The modern godowns have come up in Padalur (two godowns of 12 tonne and five tonne capacity), Nallur near Veppur (eight tonne capacity), and Pommanpadi (five tonne capacity), Mr. Rajendran said.
Welcoming the move, R. Raja Chidambaram, State secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sanam, said this project would help the onion growers in a big way, avoiding exploitation by middle men. The department has chosen the Perambalur district, which is leading in the production.
While addressing farmers’ grievances day meeting held recently, Darez Ahamed said that the pilot project should be made a regular scheme for the district and he has planned to impress upon the government in this regard.
