Onion and garlic are important commercial crops which can improve livelihood of farmers. ICAR-DOGR has developed 18 onion varieties and three garlic varieties as well as several improved production and post-harvest technologies of onion and garlic cultivation practices that can boost socio-economic status of farmers after adoption of these techniques. As a part of TSP activities, ICAR-DOGR regularly conducts training, demonstrations and input distribution for cultivation and seed production of onion and garlic to provide a source of livelihood to the farmers under the guidance of Dr. Amar Jeet Gupta, Principal Scientist (Hort.) and Nodal Officer (TSP), ICAR-DOGR, Pune.

A total of 46 demonstrations were conducted by ICAR-DOGR under TSP in Navapur taluka of Nandurbar district (MS). Inputs like onion seeds of improved varieties (Bhima Super and Bhima Shweta) were distributed on 19th June, 2025 to tribal farmers for kharif season. Moreover, the other inputs like fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, weedicides and minor implements have also been distributed on 24th July, 2025 to the selected farmers for conduct of demonstration during kharif, 2025 at farmers' field in collaboration with KVK, Nandurbar (MS). Dr. A.R. Wakhare and H.S. Gawali from ICAR-DOGR along with Dr. P.C. Kunde (SMS, Plant Protection) and Dr. V.R. Gurve (SMS, Hort.) of KVK, Nandurbar were present during inputs distribution to tribal farmers of Nimboni, Khandbara and other adjacent villages of Navapur taluka, Nandurbar (MS).

Dr. Kunde and Dr. Gurve delivered lectures on kharif onion cultivation including quality planting materials, nursery management, micro-irrigation systems, transplanting methods, spacing and application of fertilizers including its schedule. Farmers were also encouraged to adopt the commercial cultivation of onion and adopt new technologies developed by ICAR-DOGR. The queries of the farmers were answered during the interactive session. The farmers also actively expressed their gratitude towards the distribution of inputs.