Alibag White onion

Alibag White onion (अलिबाग पांढरा कांदा)
Geographical indication
Alibag White Onions from Pezari village located in Alibag taluka
Alternative names	Alibag Pandhara Kanda
Description	Alibag White onion is a white onion variety in Maharashtra
Type	onion
Area	Alibag
Country	India
Registered	16 November 2022
Official website	ipindia.gov.in

Alibag White onion is a traditional variety of white onion grown in the Indian state of Maharashtra. ^[1] It is a common and widely cultivated crop in the Alibag taluka of the Raigad district. ^[2] This onion is characterized by its sweetness, low pungency, and high nutritional value. It is traditionally cultivated in Alibag, specifically in villages such as Karle, Khandala, Nevuli, Talvali, Sagaon, and Wadgaon. It has been recognized since 1883 in the official gazette and known for its medicinal properties, for its health benefits, including treating heart ailments, controlling cholesterol, and regulating insulin. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "Alibag White onion". ^[8]

Name

Alibag White onion is a prized, native vegetable crop in Alibag and so named after it.

Local name

It is known locally as "Alibag Pandhara Kanda" (अलिबाग पांढरा कांदा). The word "Pandhara" refers to the white colour while "Kanda" means onion in the local state language of Marathi. ^[9]

Description

List of characteristics and facts about Alibag White onion: ^[10]

Cultivation and Harvesting

• Alibag White onions are grown using traditional farming practices, preserving the pure variety of the onion. The cultivation takes place after the rice harvest, utilizing the remaining moisture in the field. Locals have developed farming and storage practices over time through experience and gathered knowledge.

Unique Characteristics

• Sweet taste and low pungency
• Low pyruvic acid content ^[11]
• Low sulphur content
• High protein, fat, and fiber content
• Unique method of preparation of onion braids (veni)

Storage and Shelf Life

• Alibag White Onion veni (braid) is prepared by skilled village women who weave the onion tops into braids, which are then paired and sold as 3–4 kg juddis, enabling storage for up to one year.

Geographical indication

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the Union Government of India, on 16 November 2022. ^[8]

Alibag Pandhara Kanda Shetkari Utpadak Gat from Alibag, proposed the GI registration of Alibag White onion. After filing the application in January 2020, the Onion was granted the GI tag in 2022 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Alibag White onion" exclusive to the Onion grown in the region. It thus became the second onion variety from Maharashtra after Lasalgaon onion and the 34th type of goods from Maharashtra to earn the GI tag. ^{[12] [13]}

The GI tag protects the onion from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

See also

• Lasalgaon onion
• Bangalore rose onion

References

1. Jadhav, Radheshyam (25 July 2022). "GI tag for Alibag's white onion brings cheer to farmers". BusinessLine. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
2. Naik, A. V.; Kshirsagar, P. J.; Manerikar, S. S.; Gb, Aiswarya; Chavan, R. A.; Malave, D. B. (2023). "Economic analysis of white onion in Raigad district of Maharashtra". The Pharma Innovation Journal. 12 (1): 1585–1589. ISSN   2277-7695 . Retrieved 7 December 2024.
3. "Alibag's famed white onion gets GI tag". The Tribune. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
4. Dhupkar, Alka (24 January 2020). "State eyes GI tag for Alibaug's white onion". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
5. Borse, D. K.; Patil, K. D.; Chavan, L. S.; Khade, V. N. (2015). "Effects of Fertilizer Levels and Weed Control Measures on Growth and Yield of White Onion (Allium cepa) under North Konkan Coastal Zone of Maharashtra". Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. pp. 19–23. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
6. "Maharashtra: Alibag's famed white onion gets GI tag". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
7. Vidyapeeth, Mahatma Phule Krishi (1971). The Research Journal of Mahatma Phule Agricultural University. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
8. "Alibag White onion". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
9. "उन्हाळा असो वा पावसाळा! वाचा पांढरा कांदा खाण्याचे आरोग्यदायी फायदे". Zee 24 taas (in Marathi). 28 June 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
10. "Alibag White onion". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
11. "Maharashtra: Alibaug white onion gets GI tag for health benefits". The Times of India. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
12. Kandavel, Sangeetha (14 December 2022). "Nine products from across country get GI tag, Kerala tops table". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
13. "Assam's Gamosa, Telangana's Tandur Redgram, Ladakh's apricot get GI tag". Business-Standard. Retrieved 7 December 2024.