Designing a Controlled Ventilation Onion Storage Structure and Creating Awareness among the Selected Beneficiaries in Erode District

Abstract

Onion is one of the most important commercial vegetable crops grown on a large scale in India. As the onion is stored for a longer period to use during off season, considerable losses occur by the way of rotting, sprouting, weight loss and moisture evaporation. Modified outdoor and indoor storage structures were developed and the study was carried out to analyze the physical characteristics and nutrient content. No significant result was obtained among the macro nutrients and minerals. The opinion of using indoor storage structure by the beneficiaries was found to be useful. This present study concluded that purchasing of onion at low cost will make the consumer to consume adequate onion during price hike also by using proper storage structures depending upon the onion consumption. Purchasing onion at low cost during glut season also pave the way for the traders to sell the onion at high cost during off-season. Large storage of onion fetches greater profit for the farmers during price hike. Hence this study has given emphasis not only health point of view but also cost benefit to the consumers and traders.