ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research (ICAR-DOGR), Rajgurunagar, Pune, organized a one-day training programme on “Scientific Cultivation of Kharif Onion” at Pargaon Tarfe Ale village, Pune district, on 20 August 2026 under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Technology Intervention Hub (TIH) initiatives. A total of 32 farmers from five villages namely Pargaon Tarfe Ale, Mangrul and Nimgaon Sawa of Pune district, and Renawadi and Padli Darya of Ahilyanagar district, participated in the programme.

Dr. A. Thangasamy, Principal Scientist, Co-Nodal Officer, SCSP, and PI, TIH, coordinated the programme and delivered a lecture on improved onion production technologies, covering nursery management, fertilizer management, and post-harvest practices. Dr. Soumia PS, Senior Scientist, Agricultural Entomology, and Dr. Yogesh Khade, Senior Scientist, Vegetable Science, served as Co-Coordinators of the training programme. Dr. Soumia PS, Senior Scientist, Agricultural Entomology, delivered a lecture on the management of insect pests in onion and emphasized the safety measures to be followed while spraying pesticides. Dr. Yogesh Khade, Senior Scientist, Vegetable Science, encouraged farmers to adopt commercial onion cultivation and utilize new technologies developed by ICAR-DOGR.

The scientists also visited farmers’ nursery plots and provided on-site guidance for improving nursery management and seedling quality. An interactive session was conducted during which farmers raised their queries, and the scientists provided appropriate technical recommendations.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Dattarey Yewale, a progressive farmer from Pargaon Tarfe Ale, who expressed his appreciation for the technical guidance and support provided by ICAR-DOGR.