ISSN : 1225-8504(Print)
ISSN : 2287-8165(Online)
ISSN : 2287-8165(Online)
Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture Vol.36 No.4 pp.368-378
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2024.36.4.368
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2024.36.4.368
Current Cultivation Status, Trend and Prospects of Bulb Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Paraguay
Abstract
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most consumed vegetables in Paraguay, playing a crucial role in the daily diet of the population. Onion production is mainly concentrated in the Eastern Region, especially in the departments of Caaguazú, Paraguarí, and Itapúa. However, despite its importance, Paraguay continues to rely on onion imports from Argentina and Brazil to meet the growing domestic demand. This dependence is concerning, as national yields are approximately 40% lower than those obtained in these neighboring countries. There are several problems affecting onion production in Paraguay. Among them, the most important problem is the lack of local varieties adapted to the country’s climate conditions. Another problem is the absence of adequate and well-defined agricultural practices. This study aims to review the agroclimatic conditions of the main production areas, as well as the production technologies currently employed and local research efforts. A significant aspect of the research is the KOPIA-IPTA (Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology) cooperation project, which sought to promote innovation in onion cultivation by transferring technologies and technical knowledge. Trials of different onion varieties were conducted at three IPTA regional institute of Caacupé, Choré, and San Juan Bautista across three planting seasons. Additionally, demonstration fields in Cordillera, Paraguarí, Misiones, and San Pedro showed an increase in gross income between 145% and 438% compared to the national average. This project has demonstrated that developing appropriate technologies and farmer training are essential to improving onion production and quality in Paraguay. Furthermore, the prospect emphasizes the need for the implementation of an internal program where the main focus is the development o f appropriate technologies and their transfer to farmers to ensure sustainable and high- quality local production.