सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Tikapur. Farmers from Arunaphanta, Tikapur-8, Kailali have been cultivating onions in the banks of the Karnali River. This year, about 50 farmers have cultivated onions in the banks.
Although some farmers have been cultivating onions on the banks of the Karnali River for the past three years, locals say that many farmers have cultivated onions this year. Farmers from Phanta have said that they are starting to cultivate onions in the banks as onion production is better in sand than in soil.
Local Sahi Bahadur Chaudhary, who has been cultivating onions in the banks for the past three years, said that he has planted 86 kg of onion seeds this year. ‘Last year, we produced three quintals of onion by planting 20 kg of onion,’ said Chaudhary. ‘Last year, the planting was not good, the first time we planted 13 kg of onion, we produced five quintals.’
He said that this year, he cultivated in two and a half katthas. ‘Initially, one or two of us were cultivating, but now the entire village is engaged in onion cultivation,’ said Chaudhary. ‘Initially, we should irrigate in the evening and morning, after it grows, we don’t have to work hard.’
In the past, Indian traders used to cultivate gourds and melons there. Locals say that Indian farmers have stopped coming because the land is not available for onion cultivation.
Ramdulari Chaudhary said that last year, she produced one and a half quintals more onions by using 6 kg of berna. ‘Last year, we planted 6 kg of onions, this year we have planted 16 kg,’ said Ramdulari, ‘Last year, we sold 20 kg of one quintal, we gave the rest to relatives and ate it at home.’
‘Onions grow in large grains in sand, 5/6 grains will suffice for one kilogram,’ said Ramdulari, ‘It requires more water, there is no problem because the water is in the river.’
When cultivating onions, farmers use manure, zinc, potash and urea along with manure. The farmer says that they had to irrigate the sand three times a day in the early days because it dries up even when irrigated. Hikmat Thakulla, a farmer from Tikapur-8, said that he has started cultivating onions in Bagar this time because onion production is higher in sand.
Thakulla said that he is planting 16 kg of berna for the first time and is going to gain experience for the first time. ‘I have also cultivated when I saw farmers from Phata village planting, but they need more irrigation,’ Thakulla said, ‘I have other fields, but I have come here because it grows well in Bagar.’
Lalbir Chaudhary, head of the agriculture branch of Janaki rural municipality, said that the good production may have been achieved since loose soil is suitable for onion cultivation. ‘We do not recommend farming in Bagar, but loose soil is required for onion cultivation.’ Chaudhary said.
Local social worker Sher Bahadur Saud said that after the farmers of Phata village increased onion cultivation, farmers used to come to see the onion cultivation in Bagar. ‘Now, farmers from other places come to see this onion cultivation almost every day.’ Saud said, ‘If it becomes successful like this, then Bagar in Karnali will not be empty in winter.’
If onion cultivation in Bagar becomes successful, farmers from Wards 5, 6 and 7 of Tikapur Municipality will also get the opportunity to cultivate.
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