Performance of white onion variety agrifound white on area expansion in Gujarat state of quality bulb production for processing industry and export purpose

Agricultural training and crop demonstration is a potentially effective method to diffuse relevant new technologies to increase area and productivity of crop as well as quality. In respect of this a project funded by National Horticulture Board (NHB) were implemented namely “ Expansion of area in Gujarat state for quality bulb production of White Onion for processing industry and export purpose ” by NHRDF -Talaja, Bhavnagar and Rajkot centre in rabi season during 2009 -10 and 2010 -11. In this total 80 onion variety Agrifound white crop demonstrations conducted in 32 ha area on 80 farmer's field of 4 districts like Bhavnagar, Amreli, Rajkot and Junagadh in each year. The results were compared to each 7 every districts and found that onion yield high in Amreli, Bhavnagar with compared to Rajkot & Junagdh distracts, but which was at par to each other. Observed uniformity in Agrifound white bulbs on colour and shape in all 4 districts, whereas variation in local was recorded. TSS % and dry matter % was higher in Agrifound white onion in all plots of demonstration, which is suitable for export purpose as well as processing industry. The observations recorded during farmers training by interview of farmers and feedback taken on prescribed format during training. Farmer's feedback was very good regarding knowledge of white onion improved practices provided by experts as well as literatures provided during training period. Adoption practices of white onion production were about 65 - 70 per cent amongst trained farmers. The trainings were found to be effective in terms of retaining the knowledge, adoption and spread of the technologies among the neighbouring farmers.