Onion production might fall by 5.8% in 2016-17 crop year: Government

Horticulture production to exceed food grains output for fifth year in a row

The Centre’s first advance estimates for horticulture production for 2016-17 crop year that will end in June showed onion output might fall 5.8 per cent during the year to 19.7 million tonnes, while potato and tomatoes could rise marginally.

Onion production in 2016-17 could fall to 19.71 million tonnes as against 20.93 million tonnes last year.

The output is expected to be down due to fall in acreage to 1.18 million hectares in 2016-17 from 1.32 million hectares in the last year.

Overall, fruit and vegetables in 2016-17 are expected to be a record 287.32 million tonnes, as against 286.18 million tonnes.

Among other key vegetables, production of potato is estimated to be higher at 43.88 million tonnes this year as against 43.41 million tonnes last year.

Tomato production is pegged at 18.91 million tonnes as against 18.73 million tonnes last year.

Total vegetable production is estimated to be marginally lower at 168.59 million tonnes in 2016-17 as against 169.04 million tonnes last year.

Among fruit, mango output is estimated to be 19.21 million tonnes in 2016-17 from 18.64 million tonnes last year.

Banana production is estimated to be higher at 30.43 million tonnes this year as against 29.13 million tonnes last year.