Nashik: The Lasalgaon-based Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) plant has processed 400 tonne of kharif and late kharif onions this fiscal, which were then exported to the USA and European countries.This is for the first time that the BARC plant has processed such high quantity of the produce. In the last fiscal, it had processed only 27 tonne of onions and in 2016-17, 300 tonnes were processed. Processing the kharif onions increases its shelf life from 25 days to three months.The consignment of 28 tonne of kharif onions was exported for the first time to USA in December 2018 and the quality of onions did not alter after reaching the destination. The irradiation plant, which is presently operated by a private firm, has decided to promote irradiation of kharif onions to boost export, officials said.“Usually, both farmers and traders refrain from irradiating summer onions. But the shelf life of kharif onions increases from 25 days to three months if they are irradiated. This helps traders to export kharif onions as the quality does not deteriorate during shipping period,” said Lasalgaon irradiation centre sources.The centre officials said that they have processed record kharif onions of 400 tonnes this kharif season (Oct-Feb). “The cost for irradiating kharif onions is only Rs 50 per quintal. Even the farmers who do not export the produce can process the onions and store them when the prices are low,” added the plant sources.In 2002, the BARC had set up the irradiation centre at Lasalgaon. In 2015-16, a private firm took over the Lasalgaon plant and started operations there. Apart from processing mangoes, the firm also focused on irradiation of onions.

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