Feasibility and Technical Report On Onion Cultivation in Conakry-Jravishanker-2005

Feasibility & Technical Report on Onion
Cultivation in Conakry. West Africa.
Submitted to
TOPAZ INDUSTRIES S. A. R. L.
New Guinea.
By
Ravi Shanker
Consultant. Jove Agro Sciences. India.
October 2005.
Feasibility & Technical Report on Onion Cultivation in Conakry. West Africa.
By - Ravi Shanker. 2005.
Contents: Page No.

Summary 3
Cost Break up for 5 year project on Onions in 50 hectares 3
Geophysical conditions of the site 4
Climate 5
Potential Crops 6
Introduction to Onions 7
Cultivars 7
Indian Cultivars suitable to Conakry 8
Soils and Climate 8
Land Preparation 9
Planting systems 9
Sowing 10
Direct seeding 10
Transplantation 10
Nutrient management 11
Water management 12
Bulbing 13
Bolting 14
Weed control 14
Insect Pest and Disease control 15
Cultivation 17
Harvesting 17
Curing 18
Short storage 18
Cleaning 19
Packaging 19
Long duration storage 20
Marketing 22
Soil Fertility Analysis Chart 23
Storage structure 24
Land topography and physical condition 25
Farmland map and tentative crops 26
Fertilizer requirement map 27
2
Summary:
Location: Koteya Farm Land . around 100km from Main City.
Land available for Onion cultivation: 50 hectares. For other crops: 48 Hectares
Feasibility: farming operations re feasible.
Water: Excess in Monsoon. However bore well needed to maintain controlled supply
through out the year.
Labor availability: Farming should be semi-mechanized at the beginning.
Economics: Cost is ‘estimated’. Actual costs may vary.
Establishment costs are same for all vegetable crops/fruit crops.
8 Initial investment: Minimum USD 75,000 to 200,000
8 Gross Returns in first year: USD 100,000 to 450,000
Cost breakup1:
Establishment Cost: for 50-100 Units Cost in USD

hectares
Water pump 1 460
Drip /sprinkler systems 50 35000
Generator 1 460
Transplanter 1 3000
Tractor 1 10250
Tractor attachments like plough, earth 6 5000
tiller, extractor, weeder, sprayer,
Tractor Trolley 1 2700
Hand tools like plough, weeder, 30 3000
Spray pumps 10 500
Onion Storage Structure 1 12000
De Humidifiers 6 2100
Blowers 4 250
Storage bags 50000 5800
Staff quarters Renovation 5000
Kitchen 365 days 17000
Material store 1 2000
Overseas travel cost 5 24000
Cost of land One time 20000
Total fixed expenses 148520
1
The costs are worked out on tentative market value plus cost of shipment from India. However they are
purely indicative and local currency and market rates should be considered while taking decision. 3
Recurring costs specifically for Onions and similar rooters (vegetables)

Recurring costs:
Seeds Per year 4500
Fertilisers Per year 5000
FYM Per year 3000
Pesticides (50 hectare x 2 times) Per year 1200
Diesel (tractor + pump) Per year 10000
Transportation 250 truck loads Per year 15000
Local Wages Per year 15000
53700
Human resource:
Manager (1) Per year 6000
Supervisor(1) Per year 4000
Watchmen(2) Per year 1000
Field Technicians(3) Per year 6000
17000
Total working expenses per year 70700
Returns on Capital Invested:

Establishment Cost: for 50 hectares Units Cost in USD
Working expenses for 5 years @ 5% 367640
inflation
Fixed costs 148520
Miscellaneous expenses @ of 10% 51616
Total expenses 567776
Return on production at 50 450000
tons/Hec./year At 180 per ton for 50
hectares
Total Returns in 5 years 2250000
Net Returns in 5 years 1682224
Net average returns per year 296% 336445

Net average returns per year on 148% 168222
single crop basis
Add Stevia crop in another 48

hectares
Establishment cost of Stevia 820000
Working expenses for 5 years 700000
Total 1520000
Returns on production at 656640
6tons/hec/year @ of 2280 per ton for
48 hectares
Total returns in 5 years 3283200
Net returns in 5 years on Stevia 2626560
Net average returns per year 173% 525312 4

Total returns from 98 hectares 5533200

Average annual investment 417555
(Onion+Stevia)
Average net Returns per year 206% 861757
(Onion+Stevia)
Geophysical conditions of site:
Topography: The site is located around 100km from the main city. Undulating
topography with couple of rivulets crisscrossing the site totaling around 100 hectares.
Out of this about 50 hectares is located on low laying areas and remaining half is on
slopes. The low laying areas are water logged in monsoon. There is need to develop
drainage systems to maintain permeable soil moisture levels in high rainfall season.
As the land is virgin it has good potential for agriculture practice. However the initial land
clearance costs could be incurred to make it cultivable. Clearance of bushes, trees and
weeds could be done mechanically.
There is approach road. However at couple of points the turnings need to be

straightened for the convenience of heavy vehicles. The farm house with little
modifications could be sued for storing onions for shorter duration. Other rooms could
also be used for store tools and machines.
Soils: There are tow types of chiefly available in this site. One is with high amount of
organic matters and second is medium to moderate levels of nutrition. Soils are medium
black with sandy to loam. Rubbles are found in parts of higher elevation. The level of
phosphorous is less and hence the onions don’t grow to proper size. Application of
required amounts of phosphorous is recommended.
Water availability: Due to heavy rainfall and existence of couple of rivulets and sufficient
ground water levels the risk of water scarcity doesn’t exist. There is a bore in the farm.
However its depth and water availability need to be measured. Installation of drip or
sprinkler systems could help in better crop and water management.
Climate:
Sunshine: The sunshine levels are too low in the months of August and September.
Overall the day lengths are small in monsoon period. This could be deterrence in onion
bulb formation that is established in pre monsoon period.
Rainfall: Monsoon period should be avoided for any king of cropping activity. Heavy
down pore adversely affects plant growth and survival. Over all the region receives
highest rainfall and the crisis for water is not there.
Relative Humidity: Humidity levels are also very high at 70 to 85 in monsoon. This
adversely impact storage of goods. De-humidifiers should be used for better storage life
of product. In rest of the season the humidity levels are optimum for storage.
5
Potential crops: Following are some of the vegetable crops.
Vegetables:
Onions Potatoes Cauliflower
Cabbage Carrot Brinjal /Egg Plant
Spices
Ginger Garlic Chilies/Pepper
Fruits:
Banana Papaya Orange
6
Introduction to Onions:
Onion (Allium cepa) is a popular vegetable grown for its pungent bulbs and flavorful
leaves. It is widely grown throughout the world.
The bulb is composed of concentric, fleshy, enlarged leaf bases or scales. The outer leaf
bases lose moisture and become scaly and the inner leaves generally thicken as bulbs
develop.
The green leaves above the bulb are hollow and arise sequentially from
the meristem at the innermost point at the base of the bulb. The stem
remains very small and insignificant during vegetative growth. Long days
do not induce reproductive growth but tend to accelerate development of
the seed stalk once it has been initiated by vernalization. Temperature has a major role
in inducing bolting.
The onion root system is fibrous, spreading just beneath the soil surface to a distance of
30 to 46 cm. There are few laterals, and total root growth is sparse and not especially
aggressive. Therefore, in monoculture, onions tolerate crowding, particularly in loose,
friable soils such as peat and muck. Competition from aggressive root systems (as from
weed growth) severely limits onion growth.
Cultivars differ substantially with respect to the threshold day length required for bulbing.
Other factors such as temperature may interact with day length to modify the bulbing
response. In all cultivars, bulbing is accelerated with increasing temperature.
Cultivars
In Onions male sterility is a genic-cytoplasmic factor and male fertility can be restored in
plants carrying the sterility factor by introducing a single dominant allele. Any line
carrying the sterile trait must be cross-pollinated, and seeds harvested from male sterile
plants isolated with a normal pollen-bearing parent will be hybrid seed.
Hybrids have higher yield, larger and more uniform bulb sizes than open-pollinated
cultivars. Hence we should go for Hybrid variety and labels on pack should be checked
for details.
Suitable type of cultivars:
The bulb onion cultivars are grouped into short, intermediate, and long-day types. Short-
day onions (12 to 13 hour threshold) are generally mild, soft fleshed, and suitable for
storage. For Conakry these types are suitable.
Long-day onions (over 14.5-hour threshold) if grown in the lower latitudes, will not form
bulbs, and only green onions would be produced. In contrast, short-day types grown in
the higher latitudes will bulb very quickly and will be little more than sets in size.
The intermediate-day cultivars (13.5 to 14.5-hour threshold) are relatively

soft-fleshed and used primarily for fresh trade. They are grown in areas of
mild temperatures lying between 32 and 38° latitudes.
7
Daylength Color Pungency

Short Brown Sweet
Red Sweet
Red Pungent
White Sweet
Yellow Sweet
Yellow Pungent
Intermediate Brown Moderate
Red Moderate
White Moderate
Yellow Moderate
Long Brown Pungent
Red Pungent
White Pungent
Yellow Sweet
Yellow Pungent
Indian Cultivars suitable to Conakry: (subject to field trials)
Red Onions: N-53 (Niphed53) and Agrifound Dark Red are cultivated during monsoon
Season; Pusa Red and Arka Niketan during winter season.
Pest or disease resistance varieties: Punjab Red Round, Punjab Narroya.

Good varieties for Storage: N 2-4-1, Agrifound light red, Arka niketan
Soils and climate

Onions can be grown successfully on any fertile, well-drained, non-crusting soil. The
optimum pH range, regardless of soil type, is 6.0 to 6.8, although alkaline soils are also
suitable. Onions do not thrive in soils below pH 6.0 because of trace element
deficiencies, or occasionally, aluminum or manganese toxicity.
Clay soils often produce a hotter onion, while sandy soils require more fertilizer and
water than loamy soils. It is best to avoid heavy clay or course sandy soils.
Optimum temperatures for plant development are between 13 and 24°C,

although the range for seedling growth is narrow, 20-25°C. High temperatures
favor bulbing and curing. In India the temperatures rise up to 380C also.
Land Preparation
Prior to planting, soils should be plowed and disked sufficiently to eliminate
debris and soil clods. In most commercial areas, beds 0.9 to 1.0 m wide are
formed, and two to six rows are seeded or planted on the bed. If two rows, they
may be two-line (twin) rows with plants staggered to achieve proper spacing and
high population density.
8
8 Shred litter from previous crops or other weeds or roots with a rotary mower and
disc into top few inches of soil as soon as possible.
8 Deep-turn soil at least three to four weeks prior to planting using a moldboard
low.
8 Adjust equipment so that all litter will be buried at least eight inches deep.
8 Form beds with a roto-tiller or other bed-shaping device as soon after turning as
possible. Apply broadcast fertilizer and insecticides during this operation. Do not
use a disc-harrow because this will re-compact the soil.
8 Beds should be 6 or more inches high to allow good drainage. If rain doesn’t
occur, irrigate to firm beds a couple of days before planting or setting plants. This
is essential for direct-seeding to allow planting at a uniform depth.
8 Plant seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and set transplants one to two inches deep.
Some growers cultivate shallowly after transplanting to throw soil to the plants. If
this is done, pre-emergence herbicides need to be applied after plowing.
8 Do not plant too deeply as this could cause disease problems.
Planting systems
Three systems of planting may be employed:
8 Direct seedling is preferred and gives excellent results where the season is
sufficiently long to provide early pre-bulbing growth. (in Conakry we do not have
enough time for this. However this could be experimented)
8 Transplants normally have three to five well-formed leaves at transplant time.
Transplant leaves are pruned during growth prior to field setting, facilitating
handling and increasing plant hardiness. (Transplants could be prepared on a plot
for desired hectares. But these transplants should be manually planted)
8 Sets are used in some areas to ensure large bulb size and uniform maturity. Sets
are small dry bulbs, approximately 12 mm in diameter, produced the previous
season by seeding thickly or growing under conditions favoring rapid bulbing.
(this is most suitable and can be done mechanically)
Sowing
Ultimate yield of onion is determined by the number of leaves that
are formed prior to bulbing. Since bulbing in each cultivar is
triggered by a specific day length, early planting is the most effective
method of improving bulb size and is a primary factor contributing
toward yield. However cool air temperature or cool wet soils could
influence the stand and crop maturity.
Seeds are sown 6 to 18 mm deep in heavy mineral soils, deeper in

light mineral soils and mucks. Excessively thick seedlings of bulb
onions may delay maturity, however necks tend to be thinner than in
sparse seedlings, and bulbs are somewhat more globular in shape.
9
Direct seeding
Using coated seed (shown) and precision seeding, the seeding rate can be adjusted
easily for projected bulb size. For normal storage onions, seeds are spaced 7.5 cm
apart. When small boiling, pickling or pearl onions are desired, spacing would be
reduced to 2.5 cm in the row. Large bulb size is promoted by spacing of 10 cm or more.
Use four or six rows on a bed, with those rows being 9 to 18 inches apart. Increasing the
number of rows on the bed makes it harder to control diseases due to decreased air
drainage and the difficulty of getting good spray coverage.
Precision planters are available for accurate seed placement in direct seeding
operations. Grade uncoated seed to a fairly uniform size for more efficient direct
seeding. Direct-seeded onions can be planted at various in-row and between-row
spacing. Generally, they are planted on six-foot wide beds with in-the-row spacing
varying from four to six inches and between row spacing of 10 to 18 inches. A seeding
depth of ¼to 1/2 inch is adequate. Plant in a moist seed bed (irrigate, if necessary, a day
or two before planting) and keep beds moist until plants emerge. Planting in a dry bed
and trying to “irrigate seedlings up” usually results in poor stands and uneven growth.
Irrigation must be light and frequent until plants are established.
Transplants
For seed bed production, space rows nine to 14 inches apart and plant 20 to 30 pounds
of seed per acre depending on row width. The seeding rate should be about 60 to 70
seed per linear foot. Plant from July 15 to August 5 to have transplants ready for the field
in mid September. If plants are set four inches apart in the row (with four rows per six
foot bed) approximately 90,000 plants will be needed to set an acre. Many of the
seeding considerations mentioned in the direct seeding section also apply to transplant
beds. Prepare transplants in green house to ensure timely supply.
After transplants are pulled from the seed beds, clip the tops and roots. Clip tops to allow
about four inches of foliage to remain. Clip roots leaving only 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Use only
strong, disease-free transplants. Plants should be healthy, vigorous and a minimum of 1/4
inch in diameter. Set plants one to two inches deep and surround them with soil. Irrigate
immediately after setting to further firm the soil around roots, reduce air pockets that dry
out young roots, and ensure good soil moisture for new root growth.
Nutrient management
Onion responds very well to organic manure. Organic manure at 25 to 40 t/ha is
recommended to obtain high bulb yield.
Onions require more fertilizer than is used in most vegetable production and respond
well to additional fertilizer applied 40 to 60 days after seeding or transplanting. Apply
64kg of Urea after 30 days of sowing. Apply only small mounts of nitrogen at one time.
No more than 30 pounds of actual nitrogen should be applied in one application. Initial
nitrogen applications can be reduced by 20 to 30 pounds when onions follow peanuts,
soybeans, or other legume crops.
Phosphorus (P) is essential for rapid root development. It is not very much available at
low soil temperatures. It is best to band at least part of the phosphorus about two inches
to the side and two inches below the seed at seeding or three inches below and to the 10
side of the transplant at setting. Always use a starter fertilizer DAP at the rate of 109kg
per acre at planting.
Nitrogen (N), if too little nitrogen is available, onions can be severely stunted and more
susceptible to diseases. High nitrogen application rates produce a succulent plant that is
more susceptible to winter injury disease and to the production of flower stalks. Onions
highly fertilized with nitrogen do not store well. Excess nitrogen late in the growing
season delays maturity and causes doubling. Fertilizers containing ammonia are mildly
toxic to onions, so exercise caution when using ammonium-based fertilizers.
Potassium (K), if applied in a concentrated band near the seed or transplant, can result
in damage and stand reduction. Potassium is also subject to leaching from heavy rainfall
or irrigation. A low potassium level makes plants more susceptible to cold injury. Apply
134kg Murate of Potash in small amounts throughout the growth of onions.
Sulfur (S) is an essential element for plant growth. Early applications of sulfur are
advisable in both direct-seeded and seedling transplant beds. To minimize pungency,
fertilizers that contain sulfur should not be applied after bulbing begins. But do not
completely eliminate sulfur from the fertility program. Present recommendations call for
40 to 60 pounds in the seed beds and 35 to 55 pounds for crops grown to maturity.
Apply sulfur as a split application to avoid deficiency.
Boron (B) is required by transplants grown in plant beds as well as for direct-seeded or
transplanted onions in the field. If the soil test shows boron levels are low, apply one
pound of boron per acre. Boron can also be applied foliarly.
Zinc (Zn) levels determined to be low by soil testing can be corrected by applying 2.56
kg zinc sulfate per acre. Excessive amounts of zinc can be toxic, so apply only if
needed. Zinc is usually added in the general fertilizer in the early part of the crop year.
Magnesium (Mg) If soil pH is adequate and the soil-test magnesium level is low, apply
10kg of magnesium sulfate per acre in the fertilizer.
Onion plants utilize substantial amounts of nutrients. Based on a yield of 18 t/ha of
bulbs, the plants remove an average of 66, 11, and 70 kg of N, P, and K respectively.
Soils differ widely in fertilizer needs, depending on production history, soil type, and
analysis. Hence go for regular soil tests and apply needed dosage of NPK.
Mineral soils on average contain 90 to 112 kg/ha of N and 56 to 168 kg/ha of P2O5 and
K. N, P, and K application of about 160, 90, and 40 kg/ha, respectively, is
recommended. One or two side dressings of nitrogen are applied during a season
through the irrigation system.
Onions require only P2O5 before seeding and require N when active growth starts and
twice thereafter. Insufficient N will induce early maturity and reduce bulb size; high N
may increase bulb size and cause large nicks and soft bulbs with poor storage quality.
Minor element deficiencies, particularly zinc and copper, may be encountered.

Suggested corrective rates are 11 kg/ha of zinc or 17 to 28 kg/ha of copper, applied
every two to three years. Relatively high levels of sulfur are utilized by onions, but
corrective applications vary widely, according to soils, leaching losses, and presence of
sulfur contaminants in the atmosphere. If applied, sulfur will acidify the soil, and
therefore, liming rates should be adjusted accordingly. 11
Water management
Onions require uniform moisture throughout the growing season. Fields that suffer
growth retardation may produce excessive numbers of doubles or splits, reducing the
number of Grade 1 bulbs. Furrow irrigation is generally used. Light sandy soils are
irrigated with overhead systems or by subsurface seep irrigation where the soil profile
allows. Onions at the bulbing stage utilizing substantial amounts of water, although
excessive moisture must be avoided during the growing season.
Cost of Drip irrigation system in Onions that could control water requirement, fertigation
and pesticide application. Inline drippers are applied.
Sr. Description Rate Unit Qty. Amount

No. (Row spacing 1.5mts.)
(A) Fixed cost
1. Screen Filter 25 cum/hr 55.00 Nos. 1 55.00
2. Ventury assembly complete 16.50 Nos. 1 16.50
3. Ventury Manifold 2” Metal 37.70 Nos. 1 37.70
Total USD 109.20
(B) Variable cost for drippers
4. RPVC pipe 63mm-4kg/cm2 0.75 Mtrs. 36 27
5. RPVC pipe 50mm-6kg/cm2 0.72 Mtrs. 66 47.50
6. Lateral line 16mm-2.5 kg/cm2 0.12 Mtr --- 0
7. Turbo drippers 8 lph 0.05 Nos. --- 0
8. Turbo line 12mm-4lph 30cmc/c 0.18 Mtrs. 2904 522.70
9. PVC control Valves 50mm 5.45 Nos. 2 10.9
10. Flush Valve 50mm 1.77 Nos. 1 1.77
11. Fittings and Accessories L.S. --- --- 50.00
12. Installation Charges 20.00
679.87
TOTAL USD 789.00
OR
(C) Variable cost for sprinklers
6. Lateral line 20mm-cl-2 0.19 Mtr 600 114.00
7. Sprinkler head complete 2.73 Nos. 60 163.80
8. PVC control Valves 50mm 5.45 Nos. 2 10.90
9. Flush Valve 50mm 1.77 Nos. 1 1.77
10. Fittings and Accessories L.S. 50.00
11. Installation Charges 20.00
464.00
TOTAL USD 573.00
The onion has a shallow root system, with most of its roots in the top 12 inches of soil.
Onion continues to produce new roots (three or four per week) throughout the growing
season as older roots die. Root growth is most active during early plant growth. Proper
soil moisture is critical for continuous root growth and for supplying the needs of the
foliage and bulb.
12
Prior to emergence and during the first three weeks of seedling growth, it is essential
that adequate moisture be maintained in the top three to four inches of the soil.
Depending on the soil type, temperature, wind velocity and rainfall, this may require daily
applications of 1/10 to 1/4 inch of water.
The largest amounts of water are required during the period from bulbing through
maturity. 11/2 inches of water per week are required to satisfy these needs.
Over-watering just before harvest can increase disease, splits and doubles. A week
before harvest, discontinue watering. This makes undercutting easier and encourages
the onion to form protective scales.
Bulbing
Bulbing in short-day cultivars occurs when a critical day length longer than 101/2 to 11
hours is reached. Onion plants require a certain amount of leaf tissue before they
respond to day length and until that time, they behave as immature plants and produce
only leaves. Once sufficient leaf tissue has developed, onion plants can perceive the
bulbing stimulus and will bulb if the day length is long enough.
Bolting
Bolting occurs when the onion produces a flower and it results in a seed head. Bolting is
also referred to as hard stems, seed stems, or buttoning. The process is influenced
mainly by temperature, plant size and variety.
Once onion plants reach a certain size, (usually 7 to 10 leaves), exposure to night
temperatures below 50 degrees F for a period of two to three weeks usually causes
some bolting.
High temperatures in early growth also encourages bolting. This is primarily due to the
effect of warm temperatures that produce large plants.
Transplants about 1/4 inch in diameter do not bolt because they are not large enough to
perceive the bolting stimulus. Early planting and high dose of fertilizer application can
also lead to bolting.
Weed control
Onions are not good competitors with weeds. Cultivation, if used, must be shallow to
avoid root damage. Chemical weed control is the most cost-effective method.
Crop rotation is important to maintain land free from troublesome weeds. During rotation,
avoid lands treated with herbicides to which onions are sensitive. Many of the herbicides
used for weed control in agronomic crops (peanuts, soybeans, corn, cotton, grain
sorghum) have not been thoroughly tested for onion sensitivity.
The residual soil life, particularly of the newer compounds, has not been fully
established. It is important to keep a record of the herbicides used on fields and to check
herbicide labels for crop rotation guidelines. Herbicides that have the potential to carry
over and cause problems in onions include Diuron, Pursuit, Cadre, Zorial, Broadstrike,
Grazon P+D, Reflex and Command.
13
Pre-emergence herbicides - Apply pre-emergence herbicides within three days of

seeding or transplanting and before weeds begin to germinate. Once the weeds have
germinated, they will not be killed by pre-emergence herbicides.
Pre-emergence herbicides require moisture for activation, so if rainfall does not occur
within five days of application, apply 1/2 inch of irrigation.
Most pre-emergence herbicides begin to lose their weed control ability about 60 days
after application.
Post-emergence herbicides - Application of a post-emergence herbicide is critical to

onions. Apply a post-emergence herbicide only after the onions have acquired three to
four fully developed leaves, and do not apply after onions begin to bulb. Apply a post-
emergence herbicide when weeds are at the smallest size that coincides with the proper
onion growth stage. Weeds exceeding the four-leaf stage might not be killed. Never use
a non-ionic surfactant, a crop oil concentrate or any additive in combination with a post-
emergence herbicide.
These materials have the potential of breaking down the waxes on the onion leaves and
severe onion damage can occur. Apply a post-emergence herbicide with a well-
calibrated sprayer using appropriate nozzle tips, pressure and water volume.
Pre-transplant herbicides - All pre-transplant herbicides must be applied to a well-
prepared, weed-free soil. When transplanting into treated soil, minimize disturbance of
treated soil. Delay cultivation as long as possible.
Insect, Pest & Disease control

Field and storage diseases reduce profitability in Onions. Field diseases include purple
blotch, Stemphylium blight, anthracnose, downy mildew, Botrytis leaf blight, pink root,
smut, smudge, and several basal rots. Storage diseases include some of the common
field rots, black mold, botrytis neck rot, and bacterial soft rot.
Downy Mildew is indicated by pale green, oval, slightly sunken spots on leaves. Bands
of yellowish and greenish tissue may be evident, and a fuzzy, purplish mold may appear
in diseased spots.
Blast or Tip Blight is indicated by numerous white to light tan flecks or spots on leaves.
Affected leaf tips may die back. The foliage in the entire field may turn tan, then brown,
and collapse and die within a week.
Cloudy, humid weather with temperatures of 60 degrees F or above encourages leaf

diseases. The use of fungicides for the control of these diseases is highly beneficial.
Purple blotch Small white sunken spots develop on the leaves. These enlarge, become
zonate and under moist conditions, turn purple. Infection can cause a
semi-watery rot on necks of bulbs that turn yellow-red in color. Infected
bulb tissues eventually become papery. This pathogen is widespread. The
optimum temperature for disease development is 21 to 30°C. Therefore, it
is most serious in hot, humid climates.
14
The fungus is seed-borne. Infected onion debris has been implicated as an infection
source. Red Creole. Taliana Red varieties of Hungary is reported to be resistant to this
fungus. Nitrogen fertilizer at low and high rates will incrase the prevalence of disease.
Stemphylium leaf blight (Stemphylium vesicarium) has been reported from Europe,
Africa, North and South America, and Asia. Foliage losses of 80 to 90 percent have
been reported. Disease symptoms are very similar to purple blotch. Lesions are light
yellow to brown, watersoaked and progress from the tip to the base of leaves. The
conidia have up to six transverse septa, besides several vertical septa. Wet and warm
conditions favor the disease spread.
8 Long rotations with unrelated crops and good drainage system should be
employed to avoid this fungus. Application of high rates of calcium
superphosphate and potassium fertilizer will reduce infection.
8 Routine (weekly interval) field sprays with dithiocarbamate fungicides, particularly
mancozeb and chlorothalonil reported to be effective.
Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) favors hot (24 to 29°C) and wet

conditions. The disease over winters in sets and soil, and spores are spread by
wind, splashing water, and tools. The leaves become twisted due to infection.
Downy mildew (Peronospora destructor) attacks young plants, appearing as white

specks, usually confined to the oldest leaves of young plants. A white mold develops
rapidly in cool damp weather and progresses down the sheath, and plants eventually fall
over and dry up. Spores are carried long distances by air currents.
Botrytis leaf blight, commonly termed blast, is caused by several Botrytis species. The
disease first appears as white specks on leaves, expanding to cause a dieback from the
leaf tips. Tops may be killed completely within a week, and entire fields may be affected.
Frequently, blight follows previous damage from insects, disease, mechanical damage,
or air pollution.
8 For control, young plants can be treated with mancozeb at weekly intervals until
bulbing begins.
Basal rot, caused by Fusarium species, results in a breakdown of inner scales.

Outwardly, the bulb may appear normal. It eventually becomes soft, however, and will
develop a watery rot under moist conditions or a dry shriveled bulb in a dry environment.
The disease is most severe in warm areas with poor soil drainage.
Thrips (Thrips tabaci) are minute insects that cut or "rasp" the epidermis of leaves or
stems and suck the plant sap resulting in white blotches on leaves. Severe
infestations result in leaf blasting and collapse. Bulbs become distorted
and undersized. Infestations are more severe in dry seasons than in
moist, and entire fields may be destroyed. The insect has many host
plants. Adults and nymphs overwinter on plants or plant debris, or in
weeds bordering the field. Most of the insects are female, which can reproduce without a
male. Eggs are thrust into the leaves and will hatch in 5 to 10 days.
15
8 Diazinon sprays at 7-10 day intervals are recommended to control thrips. Up to

six applications may be necessary and good coverage is essential.
Nematodes Onions are sensitive to nematode injury. Both rootknot and sting
nematodes can cause damage to onions. Potential onion growing sites should be
sampled to determine what nematodes are present. The presence of either of these
nematodes should justify a treatment for nematodes.
Onion Maggots Onion Maggots are attracted to soil that has a high level of
decomposing organic matter. Before direct seeding or transplanting onions, deep-turn
crop residue to help avoid this problem. Wet years favor onion maggot infestations. The
maggots attack weak plants and early plantings.
Small white maggots up to 1/3 inch long bore through the underground portion of the
leaves and into the bulbs, causing the plants to become flabby and turn yellow. Large
bulbs that are not completely destroyed will rot in storage. The adult onion maggot is a
fly similar to the common housefly. However, the adult onion maggot is smaller with
straighter, longer wings.
Good land sanitation is necessary. The onion maggot fly is attracted to fields where
post-emergence herbicides are used for weed control because of the decaying plant
matter. Where several applications of Post-emergence herbicides are used, expect a
continuous maggot problem.
Cultivation
Cultivate shallowly as often as needed to control weeds, but do not put excessive soil
around the plants. Cultivations are often beneficial when used with side dressings or to
improve root aeration after successive heavy rains. Once onion roots have begun to
extend into the row middles, discontinue cultivations. Late cultivations can cause root
pruning, damage which often leads to water stress and possibly to invasion by diseases.
Harvesting
Onions are ready for harvest when the leaves collapse. For storage, onion tops should
have broken over before harvest and the necks should collapse and dry. Storage bulb
maturity can be accelerated by withholding irrigation water or by pruning the root system.
Conduct sample counts on the number of bulbs, which has fallen over in a field; and
when the percentage of bulbs, which have fallen over, reaches about 70-80% then the
entire crop should be harvested. Harvesting could commence earlier when 50-80% of
the tops have gone over, before it is possible to see split skins exposing onion flesh
Bulbs generally mature within 100-120 days from sowing, depending on the cultivar and
the weather. Spring onions mature for harvesting after 35-45 days from sowing.
Manual harvesting is the most common practice. Leverage the bulbs with a fork to
loosen them and pulling the tops by hand. In large scale farms, mechanical harvesting is
commonly used. In wetter, temperate regions, mechanical harvesting and artificial
heating and ventilation for drying are essential for reliable production of high quality
bulbs on a large scale. 16
The following steps are followed during two-phase harvesting of onions: (a) mowing the
leaves (if necessary); (b) stubbing, undercutting and sieving the onions to remove stones
and clods; (c) roll the soil in the row to get a plane surface; (d) drying the bulbs
(windrowing) 8 to 10 days in the field; (e) turning the bulbs 1 to 2 times; (f) harvesting,
sieving and hand-grading, overloading into a trailer or in crates; and (g) transport. For
one phase harvesting usually commercial potato harvesters have been adapted. After
mowing the leaves the crop is immediately harvested, sieved, hand graded and loaded
onto the trailer.
Because of the additional operations involved, labour costs for two-phase harvesting are
about 30 to 100 % higher than for one phase harvesting. The main disadvantage of one-
phase harvesting is the high energy consumption required for mechanical drying.
Bulbs for storage may be harvested when 50 percent of more of the tops have broken
over, but the bulbs must be cured and dried thoroughly before being placed in storage.
Bulbs intended for immediate use can be undercut when 15 to 25 percent of the tops are
down.
To harvest a knife or lifter is drawn under a bed or row, cutting roots and loosening the
soil. Then the bulbs may be dug or allowed to cure further before digging. To avoid
damage from direct sunlight, however, onions normally are placed in field containers and
moved to a dry shady location for subsequent curing.
Curing
Both curing and drying remove excess moisture from the outer layers of the bulb. The
dried skin provides a surface barrier to water loss and microbial infection, thereby
preserving the main edible tissue in a fresh state. Drying also reduces shrinkage during
subsequent handling, reduces the occurrence of sprouting, and allows the crop to ripen
before fresh consumption or long-term storage (Opara and Geyer, 1999).
Weight losses of 3-5% are normal under ambient drying conditions and up to 10 % with
artificial drying.
In traditional small-scale operations, onion drying is carried out in the field in a process
commonly called ‘windrowing’. It involves harvesting the mature bulbs and laying them
on their sides (in windrows) on the surface of the soil to dry for 1 or 2 weeks. Successful
windrowing is weather dependent and therefore cannot be relied upon for large scale
commercial onion production business.
Immediately after harvest let the onion should get dried for about 8 to 10 days
which helps to remove the excess heat giving better color to onion.
The purpose of a curing period is to allow natural dormancy to develop and to dry the
onion sufficiently. A properly cured onion will have a dry shrunken neck and dry outer
scales. The respiration rate of a cured bulb is lower than that of an uncured bulb.
The tops and roots are removed during harvest. When this is not possible, they should
be removed after curing, before storage or sale.
17
Fully mature bulbs are harvested and cured by exposure to temperatures up to 35° in
low (less than 50 percent) relative humidity.
Short Storage:
Air movement must be provided at the rate of 1 cubic foot/minute/cubic foot of onions
(60 cubic meters/hour/cubic meters of onions). Immature onions require twice the rate of
air exchange.
The temperature of stored onions is lowered gradually to 0°C, or slightly higher, with the
relative humidity at 60 to 70 percent. Air exchange in the storage facility is important to
prevent any condensation on the bulbs. Also, when the bulbs are removed from the
storage, they should be conditioned for several days at 20 and 50 percent relative
humidity.
Before and after storage stabilization of the storage structure can be done by spraying
10g Bavistin + 15ml neuocron in 10 liters of water which helps in controlling the pest.
1ft3 area can store 20kg of onion.
Storage structure should be constructed 30cm from the ground level giving base that
avoids contact with soil moisture. Roof could be of good temperature control. About
10000sq.ft space is needed for 50 hectare farm to store the onions for short duration.
For good aeration central height of piling should be optimum (120cm) sloppy.
Harvested bulbs can also be taken straight from the field and dried artificially either in a
store, shed, barns, or in a purpose-built drier. This method is commonly used when
crops are stored in bulk but it can also be applied to bags, boxed or bins. Under this
method, bulbs are laid on racks and heated air is rapidly passed across the surface of
the bulbs night and day [O’Connor, 1979; Brice et al., 1997].
Drying may take 7-10 days and is considered complete when the necks of the bulbs
have dried out and are tight and the skins shriek when held in the hand. The control of
humidity level in the store is critical. Under very high humidity, drying is delayed and
fungal infection can increase. However, if relative humidity is too low (below 60%),
excessive water loss and splitting of the bulb outer skins can occur, resulting in storage
losses and reduction of bulb value.
Placing onions on wire mesh in well ventilated conditions and using air at about 30°C,
60-75% rh and 150 m³.h-1.m-3 is generally recommended for mechanical drying of
onions.
Cleaning:
Freedom from any impurity, which may materially alter the appearance or eating quality,
is essential. Soil and other foreign materials must be removed and badly affected
produce must be discarded. Cleaning may be carried out using air or by manually
18
removing unwanted materials on the bulb surface. Care should be taken to avoid
physical injury on the bulb during these operations.
Packaging:
Both packaging and transport systems must be selected to ensure minimum handling
damage to produce. Hard surfaces should be cushioned with leaves, foam or other
appropriate force decelerators.
Good packaging for onions must meet the following criteria: (Brice et al., 1999).
(a) strong enough to retain the required weight of onions under the conditions of
transport and storage,
(b) allow sufficient ventilation for the air around the bulbs to maintain relative humidity in
the required range, and
(c) in many circumstances, provide a means of displaying legally required and

commercially necessary information.
Onions can be packaged and stored in a variety of containers such as boxes, cartons,
bags, bulk bins, pre-packs, plastic film bags, and stretch-wrapped trays.
Packages typically contain 25 kg and above, especially for transporting crop from field to
store and/or during storage. The same 25 kg bags or smaller bags may be used from
store to market place. Decision on type of packaging to use depends on crop size,
length of storage and marketing requirements.
A problem with packaging onions in boxes, net bags and bulk bins is that if they are too
large, and airflow pattern tends to be around rather than through them. Under this
condition, the respiration heat of the bulb results in a warm, humid environment in the
centre of the package, which can result in decay or sprouting.
Onion Bags
Sacks and nets used for onion packaging fall into three groups: (i) general-purpose jute
sacks, as used for many agricultural commodities, (ii) open-weave sacks of sisal-like
fibre, (iii) open-mesh nets, normally of plastic materials and (iv) big bags, used
alternatively to crates, containing up to 1000 kg . Jute sacks are readily available in most
developing countries, but their disadvantages include: (i) generally too large - may
contain 100 kg onions, hence difficult to handle and an increased risk of mechanical
damage; (ii) bulbs are not visible through the fabric, and it is difficult to monitor condition
during storage; (iii) there is some resistance to airflow if they are used in an aerated
store; (iv) difficult to label effectively; and (v) recycled sacks may encourage spread of
post harvest diseases.
Sisal sacks are made from sisal-like hard fibres and have an open weave, with thick
threads spaced between about 10 and 15 cm apart. The rough nature of the fibre
19
provides a sufficiently stable weave. These sacks are similar to jute sacks, but will allow
limited visibility of the onions and impedance to airflow is less.
Packaging bags:
Open-mesh nets are the most widely used package for onions, and they are normally
red or orange in colour. The slippery nature of plastics can result in the movement of the
threads allowing large holes to open up. To overcome this problem, alternative nets are
industrially produced to give fully stable mesh and stronger bag. The principal
techniques include: (i) using extruded net from high-density PVC, (ii) knitted (warp-
knitted) and asymmetric construction, and (iii) special weave in which weft threads are
double, and twisted.
They are also slowly degraded by sunlight, and should not be left outdoors for long
period before use. In comparison with the other types of bags, they offer several
advantages, including: (i) light weight, small bulk when empty, (ii) usually available in
12.5 and 25 kg sizes, (iii) fairly good visibility of bulbs, (iv) excellent ventilation, (v)
hygienic, (vi) easy closing (draw-string types only), (vii) and crop brand and marketing
information may be printed around the middle of the bag for easy identification.
Rigid Packages
A range of rigid containers is used to package onions for transportation, marketing,

and/or storage (Opara and Geyer, 1999). The principal rigid containers are trays (10-15
kg of onions each), boxes (up to 25 kg), and bulk bins (up to 1000 kg). These types of
packaging enable segregation of onions into different cultivars or sources. Choice of
packaging material is important as wooden bins, for example, are liable to termite attack,
and weathering during off-season. Rigid containers are also expensive, need regular
maintenance and a forklift is required for handling larger containers. Where rigid
containers are used for onion storage, building design is simpler than that for large-scale
loose bulk storage as reinforcement of retaining walls are not required to support the
bulbs. Handling damage of bulbs during filling and emptying can be high, but damage is
reduced during store loading and unloading operations in comparison with loose bulk
handling and storage.
Onion Pre-packs
Onions are commonly sold in retail outlets in pre-packs with a capacity of 0.5-1.5 kg.
Pre-packing offers the following advantages over single bulbs in heaps or bags: (i) price
can be attached to produce, (ii) the collation of a number of pieces into one unit of sale
may promote sale of a larger quantity than would be purchased otherwise, (iii) provides
a clean odourless unit for the customer to handle, and (iv) reduces time spent at the
check-out. The use of weight/price labelling machines and bar-coding has reduced the
need to pack to fixed nominal weights. During preparation for retail, the quantity of
produce is measured by hand or machine and filled into the pack. Then the actual weight
and price and/or bar-code are automatically calculated and printed on a label, which is
attached to the package. This mechanised weighing and labelling system assists the
packer in accurate record keeping and avoids losses due to inaccurate pack weights.
The three main types of onion pre-packs are nets, plastic film bags, and stretch-wrapped
trays 20
Long duration storage

Freshly harvested onions are dormant and will not sprout for a variable period of time
(depending on cultivar). Storage will prolong this dormancy. Sprouting will increase in
storage temperatures above 4.4°C, decreasing again as temperatures exceed 25°C. To
reduce the frequency of sprouting after the rest period, onions may be field treated with
maleic hydrazide (MH-30) at 2.2 to 3.4 kg/ha when the tops are still green but beginning
to senesce.
Bulbs selected for storage should be firm and the neck dry and thin. Discard thick-
necked bulbs because they are most likely to have high moisture content than optimum
for storage, and therefore would have short storage life. Careful harvest and pre-storage
treatments with minimal mechanical loads are important to achieve a long storage
period. Both store room temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric composition
affect the length of storage that can be achieved.
Shelves for onion handling and storage are made from either wooden slats or metal
mesh on a wooden or metal frame, and are usually fixed in position with the bulbs
loaded and unloaded in the store. Ventilation (natural or forced) is usually achieved by
passing air over the shelves. To achieve adequate aeration of the bulbs, the depth of
bulbs on the shelves should be limited to 10 cm.
Temperature Relative Length of storage

(°C) humidity(%)
-3-0 70-75 6 months

-3 85-90 5-7 months
-2 75-85 300 days
(-2) - (-0.6) 75-80 6 months&
-1-0 70-80 6-8 months
-0.6 78-81 6-7 months
0 75-85 6 months
0 65-75 -
0 70-75 20-24 weeks*
0 70-75 -
0 65-70 1-2 months#
0 65-70 6-8 months†
0 - 230 days
0 70-75 or 90- up to 120 days
95
0 80-85 30-35 weeks§
1-2 80-85 30-35 weeks¥
1 87 -
1.1 70-75 16-20 weeks‡
4 - 170 days
8 - 120 days
12 - about 90 days
20 - 25 days
21
*= With 16.3% loss (red onion); #= Bermuda cultivar; †= Globe cultivar; ‡= With 14.2%
loss (red onion); &= Superba cultivar; §= Optimum storage conditions, 7% maximum
water loss before becoming unsaleable; ¥ = Probable practical storage conditions, 7-10
days shelf-life (approx.) at 20°C after storage, 7% maximum water loss before becoming
unsaleable. Compiled from (Thompson, 1996; Thompson, 1982).
Bulk storage permits maximum utilisation of store space, and uniform aeration is easier
to achieve than in stacks of bags or other rigid packaging. However, where bulk storage
is to implemented, the retaining walls must be strengthened when storing larger
quantities of bulbs, and arrangements need to be made for rebagging before subsequent
marketing. It is also difficult to inspect bulbs regularly under these storage conditions.
Loose bulk handling of onion is most suitable for large-scale operations where forced
ventilation can be provided during long-term storage.
Cultivars intended for long-term storage should be firm with a thick dry neck; free from
greening, root growth, sunburn, or freeze damage; and well covered with dry scales.
Bulbs with fleshy, soft necks are susceptible to persistent rot, especially if storage
humidity exceeds 70 percent.
Flavor in onion is associated with pungency (propyl disulfides and other disulfides) and
with sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose). Both sugar content and pungency are
related to percentage dry matter. Short-day and long-day types differ in their flavors.
Pungency and dry matter content are important quality attributes in onions for
processing.
Marketing
Onions normally are shipped in 22.7-kg mesh bags. The bulbs are graded
by size, with jumbo and pearl sizes frequently used by processors. Those
intended for international trade are packed in 25-kg bags.
Green onions are pulled before bulbing, when the basal diameter exceeds
6 mm, and the roots are trimmed near the base. They should be washed free of soil.
Discolored stalks are discarded. Storage life of green onions is limited to approximately
one week at 0°C and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity.
(A)Tractor
Sr. Capacity Price in Tractor Rate

No. Rs.Lakhs Attachments.
1. 25 HP 2.83 Tractor trolley Up to Rs.70,000.00
2. 39 HP 3.70 Ploughing attachment Up to Rs. 10,000.00
3. 45HP 3.85 Seeder Up to Rs. 20,000.00
4. 50 HP 4.00 Fumigation Up to Rs. 15,000.00
5. 60 HP 4.75 Weeding equipments N.A.
22
Soil Fertility Analysis Charat: Based on GSFC lab test results and
recommendations.
% Kg./Ac Kg./Ac 1;2 1;2 ppm ppm ppm ppm Ppm

P.no. OC P2O5 K2O pH EC S Zn Fe Mn Cu
3 0.92 6.00 50.00 6.90 0.23 6.30 0.88 10.78 0.52 0.84
6 0.89 3.00 45.00 6.80 0.25 5.10 1.06 22.32 0.44 0.58
7 0.95 3.00 50.00 6.90 0.28 4.60 0.56 29.88 0.68 0.66
8 0.88 5.00 35.00 6.73 0.35 4.80 0.34 25.20 0.18 0.48
2 0.89 3.00 50.00 6.80 0.28 10.60 0.44 28.00 0.68 0.62
4 0.90 3.00 73.00 6.90 0.32 4.80 1.60 29.72 0.76 0.92
9 0.84 4.00 73.00 6.75 0.27 7.60 0.84 27.20 0.58 0.56
10 0.78 3.00 58.00 6.50 0.34 6.30 0.90 26.80 0.88 0.70
12 0.73 6.00 60.00 6.83 0.28 5.10 0.46 17.40 0.30 0.44
13 0.78 5.00 38.00 6.94 0.32 2.60 1.38 13.20 0.94 0.66
Avg. 0.86 4.10 53.20 6.81 0.29 5.78 0.85 23.05 0.60 0.65
Less Medium More V.less
Recommendation Recommendation
Base Nutrients Fertilizers Additional Nutrients Requirement
Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac Kg/Ac/Y Kg/Ac/Y Kg/Ac/Y
P.no. N P K Urea+ AS DAP* ASP MoP Zinc Manganese Gypsum or
Sulfate Sulfate Sulfur base
3 12.00 30.00 26.00 26.00 0.00 65.00 0.00 43.00 2.40 10.00 50.00
6 12.00 32.00 26.00 26.00 0.00 69.00 0.00 43.00 0.00 10.00 50.00
7 11.00 32.00 26.00 22.00 0.00 69.00 0.00 43.00 3.20 10.00 50.00
8 12.00 30.00 30.00 26.00 0.00 65.00 0.00 50.00 4.00 10.00 50.00
2 12.00 32.00 120.0 87.00 75.00 139 0.00 199 3.20 10.00 0.00
4 12.00 32.00 110.0 87.00 75.00 139 0.00 183 2.40 10.00 50.00
9 12.00 32.00 110.0 91.00 85.00 139 0.00 183 2.40 10.00 50.00
10 12.00 32.00 120.0 91.00 85.00 139 0.00 199 2.40 10.00 50.00
12 13.00 30.00 120.0 98.00 105 135 0.00 199 3.20 10.00 50.00
13 12.00 62.00 120.0 91.00 90.00 135 0.00 199 2.40 10.00 50.00
12.00 34.40 80.80 64.50 51.50 109 0.00 134 2.56 10.00 45.00
• * Gypsum or Ammonium sulfate, Ammonium Phosphate Sulfate.
• +Applied after 30 days of plantation
23
Notional Storage + dryer structure for Onions.
The above one is a structural design. This type of structure could be developed for
drying and storage. The temperatures are very conducive except August and September
where dehumidifiers should be used to maintain humidity levels at 60 to70. Rest of the
year the temperatures and humidity levels are ok. This structure could either be built
with Wood / Asbestos/ RCC / Tin. Depending on the local availability of materials these
structures could be developed.
We need large storage PVC or any Plastic frames (porous) to store Onions either for
short term or long term. The exact dimensions are given under subtitle ‘storage’. All the
costs are considered while calculating summary table given at the beginning of the
report.
24
Land Topography and physical condition:
Soil Soil Soil Type Pre- Water Area in

Sample texture cultivation requirement Hectares
Measures (+/- 5 %)
1 Up land Medium Clear Irrigation 5
Morum/ black soils trees
Gravel Grasses
2 Up land Medium Clear Irrigation 5

Morum/ black soils bushes/gr
Gravel asses
3 Low Black Remove Winter 6
land loam grasses Irrigation
4 Up land Medium Remove Irrigation. 5
loam black- grasses
loam
5 Up land Hard Remove Irrigation 5
morum trees
6 Sloppy Black Remove Winter 6
loam grasses Irrigation
7 Low Black Remove Winter 15
loam grasses Irrigation
8 Sloppy Medium Trees and Irrigation 6
black to grasses
morum
9 Low Black Trees Winter 6
land Loam Irrigation
10 Up land Medium Trees and Irrigation 5
Morum black grasses
11 Upland Medium Trees and Irrigation 6
Morum black grasses
12 Sloppy Medium Grasses Winter 7
black Irrigation
13 Up land Gravel Trees and Irrigation 5
grasses
14 Up land Gravel Trees and Irrigation 5
grasses
15 Sloppy Medium Grasses Winter 6
black irrigation
95
25
26
27

Feasibility and Technical Report On Onion Cultivation in Conakry-Jravishanker-2005

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Feasibility and Technical Report On Onion Cultivation in Conakry-Jravishanker-2005

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Feasibility & Technical Report on Onion

Cultivation in Conakry. West Africa.

Contents: Page No.

Location: Koteya Farm Land . around 100km from Main City.

Feasibility: farming operations re feasible.

Labor availability: Farming should be semi-mechanized at the beginning.

Economics: Cost is ‘estimated’. Actual costs may vary.

Establishment costs are same for all vegetable crops/fruit crops.

8 Initial investment: Minimum USD 75,000 to 200,000

8 Gross Returns in first year: USD 100,000 to 450,000

Establishment Cost: for 50-100 Units Cost in USD

Recurring costs specifically for Onions and similar rooters (vegetables)

Returns on Capital Invested:

Net Returns in 5 years 1682224

Net average returns per year 296% 336445

Add Stevia crop in another 48

Net returns in 5 years on Stevia 2626560

Net average returns per year 173% 525312 4

Total returns from 98 hectares 5533200

Geophysical conditions of site:

There is approach road. However at couple of points the turnings need to be

Potential crops: Following are some of the vegetable crops.

Onions Potatoes Cauliflower

Cabbage Carrot Brinjal /Egg Plant

Ginger Garlic Chilies/Pepper

Banana Papaya Orange

Suitable type of cultivars:

The intermediate-day cultivars (13.5 to 14.5-hour threshold) are relatively

Daylength Color Pungency

Indian Cultivars suitable to Conakry: (subject to field trials)

Pest or disease resistance varieties: Punjab Red Round, Punjab Narroya.

Soils and climate

Optimum temperatures for plant development are between 13 and 24°C,

8 Do not plant too deeply as this could cause disease problems.

Seeds are sown 6 to 18 mm deep in heavy mineral soils, deeper in

Minor element deficiencies, particularly zinc and copper, may be encountered.

Sr. Description Rate Unit Qty. Amount

Pre-emergence herbicides - Apply pre-emergence herbicides within three days of

Post-emergence herbicides - Application of a post-emergence herbicide is critical to

Insect, Pest & Disease control

Cloudy, humid weather with temperatures of 60 degrees F or above encourages leaf

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) favors hot (24 to 29°C) and wet

Downy mildew (Peronospora destructor) attacks young plants, appearing as white

Basal rot, caused by Fusarium species, results in a breakdown of inner scales.

8 Diazinon sprays at 7-10 day intervals are recommended to control thrips. Up to

1ft3 area can store 20kg of onion.

(c) in many circumstances, provide a means of displaying legally required and

A range of rigid containers is used to package onions for transportation, marketing,

Long duration storage

Temperature Relative Length of storage

-3-0 70-75 6 months

Sr. Capacity Price in Tractor Rate

% Kg./Ac Kg./Ac 1;2 1;2 ppm ppm ppm ppm Ppm

Notional Storage + dryer structure for Onions.

Land Topography and physical condition:

Soil Soil Soil Type Pre- Water Area in

2 Up land Medium Clear Irrigation 5

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