International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Jyoti Lagad, and Dr VJ Tarde

abstract
Onion is a vital crop contributing significantly to both food security and farmers’ income. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like quercetin, onions have notable medicinal value including benefits for heart health and blood sugar regulation. In India, particularly in regions like Nashik, onions serve as a crucial cash crop supporting rural livelihoods. The present study was conducted to assess the profile of onion growers, identify the technological gap in onion cultivation practices, evaluate individual technological gaps, examine the constraints faced by farmers, and gather suggestions for improvement. A study on the technological gap in onion cultivation revealed that a majority of onion growers (55.62 per cent) fell into the medium technological gap category, followed by those in the high (34.38 per cent) and low (10.00 per cent) categories. Several factors contributed to this gap, including the illiteracy of 5 per cent of growers, low to medium levels of management (38.75 per cent) and risk orientation, and moderate experience and extension contact. These constraints limited the adoption of recommended cultivation practices, leading to a significant proportion of farmers experiencing a high technological gap in onion production.