Lasalgaon is a prominent hub for onion cultivation and thus the onion's name is derived from this town, with 99% of its agricultural area dedicated to this crop, engaging over 1,000 farmers. The region's onion market is equally impressive, handling approximately 2.5 lakh tonnes of onions annually. This variety is also known by other names, including Niphad red and Nashik red.[9]
Local name
It is known locally as "Lasalgaon Kanda" (लासलगाव कांदा). The word "Kanda" means onion in the local state language of Marathi.[10]
Description
List of characteristics and facts about Lasalgaon onion:[11]
Medicinal properties for treating ear aches, colic pain, and more[14]
Cultivation
Onion production typically occurs in three seasons: Kharif (May–July to Oct-Dec.), Late-Kharif (Aug-Sep. to Jan-Mar), and Rabi (Oct-Nov. to April–June).[4][15][16]
The Lasalgaon Light Red variety is specifically cultivated during the Rabi season, which spans from October to March.
Lasalgaon has a well-established market with many traders and a railway station, facilitating efficient marketing.[17] The region's traditional method of onion storage (chawl) and cultivation practices have been passed down through generations.
Soil and Climate
The black soil of Lasalgaon has a unique composition, with high alumina, carbonates of calcium and magnesium, and variable amounts of potash. The soil pH ranges from 6–8, making it mildly to moderately alkaline. The high sulphur content in the soil contributes to the onion's pungent taste.
Storage facilities
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has established a specialized cold storage facility for onions at Krushak, the irradiation centre in Lasalgaon, Nashik in December 2023. This facility boasts a storage capacity of 250 tonnes.[18]
Baliraja Shetkari Gat from Lasalgaon, proposed the GI registration of Lasalgaon onion. After filing the application in November 2021, the Onion was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Lasalgaon onion" exclusive to the Onion grown in the region. It thus became the second onion variety from India after Bangalore rose onion of Karnataka and the 17th type of goods from Maharashtra to earn the GI tag.[21]
The GI tag protects the onion from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
