kenthefarmer
Lister
Bulb onion farming is profitable, 'but si kazi rahisi 'it comes with its own set of challenges. Many farmers invest time, money, and energy, only to face setbacks that reduce their yields or profits. Here are some of the most common challenges onion farmers face:
Unpredictable Weather
Onions need the right balance of water and warmth, but sometimes the weather has other plans.
Too much rain leads to waterlogging and fungal diseases.
Too much sun causes onions to mature too fast, forming small bulbs.
That’s why I prefer controlled irrigation during the dry season rather than depending on rainfall.
Pest tend to thrive during sunny days.
Pests and Diseases
Some of the worst enemies of onions include:
Thrips – These tiny insects suck sap from the leaves, causing curling and drying.
Downy mildew, anthracnose, and purple blotch – Many farmers struggle to differentiate these diseases, leading to wrong treatment methods.
Doing
% bulb onion organic farming in hot areas is a challenge .
To control this, I always recommend crop rotation and using the right pesticides and fungicides at the correct stage. Prevention is cheaper than treatment.
Lack of Knowledge
Many farmers struggle because of limited knowledge on key farming practices. Some of the most common issues include:
Wrong variety selection – Some farmers buy onion varieties that don’t perform well in their specific climate, leading to poor yields.
Mixing agronomists – Every farmer wants to be successful, and this makes them consult multiple agronomists and fellow farmers. While advice is good, too many opinions often create confusion and doubts. Sticking to one reliable source of guidance can make a big difference.
High Cost of Inputs
Onion farming requires a significant investment.
Certified seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals are expensive.
The price of irrigation equipment keeps rising.
Labor costs have increased, yet onions require frequent care throughout their growth cycle.
To reduce costs, I always encourage farmers to use farm waste and make compost manure where possible and apply fertilizers wisely to avoid wastage. An acre requires 75-100kgs of fert.
Poor Market Prices
Many farmers harvest at the same time, causing oversupply in the market. This leads to low prices, and middlemen take advantage by offering very low buying prices.
To counter this, I prefer storing onions properly and selling later when prices improve. Planning is key to avoiding losses.
As a farmer, learn how to cure your onions before harvesting to avoid after harvesting loses.
Poor Seed Quality
Some farmers buy cheap, uncertified seeds, leading to poor germination and weak plants. If you plant poor-quality seeds, you will struggle from the start.
I always recommend using certified seeds from trusted suppliers to avoid losses and ensure better production .
Bulb onion farming is profitable, but success requires the right knowledge, good planning, and smart decision-making. The key is to understand your environment, use quality inputs, and manage risks early.
~village investor
Unpredictable Weather
Onions need the right balance of water and warmth, but sometimes the weather has other plans.
Too much rain leads to waterlogging and fungal diseases.
Too much sun causes onions to mature too fast, forming small bulbs.
That’s why I prefer controlled irrigation during the dry season rather than depending on rainfall.
Pest tend to thrive during sunny days.
Pests and Diseases
Some of the worst enemies of onions include:
Thrips – These tiny insects suck sap from the leaves, causing curling and drying.
Downy mildew, anthracnose, and purple blotch – Many farmers struggle to differentiate these diseases, leading to wrong treatment methods.
Doing
% bulb onion organic farming in hot areas is a challenge .To control this, I always recommend crop rotation and using the right pesticides and fungicides at the correct stage. Prevention is cheaper than treatment.
Lack of Knowledge
Many farmers struggle because of limited knowledge on key farming practices. Some of the most common issues include:
Wrong variety selection – Some farmers buy onion varieties that don’t perform well in their specific climate, leading to poor yields.
Mixing agronomists – Every farmer wants to be successful, and this makes them consult multiple agronomists and fellow farmers. While advice is good, too many opinions often create confusion and doubts. Sticking to one reliable source of guidance can make a big difference.
High Cost of Inputs
Onion farming requires a significant investment.
Certified seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals are expensive.
The price of irrigation equipment keeps rising.
Labor costs have increased, yet onions require frequent care throughout their growth cycle.
To reduce costs, I always encourage farmers to use farm waste and make compost manure where possible and apply fertilizers wisely to avoid wastage. An acre requires 75-100kgs of fert.
Poor Market Prices
Many farmers harvest at the same time, causing oversupply in the market. This leads to low prices, and middlemen take advantage by offering very low buying prices.
To counter this, I prefer storing onions properly and selling later when prices improve. Planning is key to avoiding losses.
As a farmer, learn how to cure your onions before harvesting to avoid after harvesting loses.
Poor Seed Quality
Some farmers buy cheap, uncertified seeds, leading to poor germination and weak plants. If you plant poor-quality seeds, you will struggle from the start.
I always recommend using certified seeds from trusted suppliers to avoid losses and ensure better production .
Bulb onion farming is profitable, but success requires the right knowledge, good planning, and smart decision-making. The key is to understand your environment, use quality inputs, and manage risks early.
~village investor