PRODUCTION OF ALLIUMS IN SRI LANKA: PROSPECTS AND CONSTRAINTS

Alliums are a common vegetable in Sri Lanka. The species, namely, onion, shallot, and, to a small extent garlic, are cultivated under rainfed or irrigated conditions in the wet and dry seasons.

The annual demand for these products exceeds the production levels. Production is concentrated in the dry and intermediate zones, with some garlic being grown in the wet zone. The cultivation areas of onion and shallot overlap. The area available for expansion is limited due to the specific environmental requirements of these species.

Yields of these species vary among farms and regions. Harvesting, storage, and marketing present problems, and, thus, farmers do not procure the optimal prices for their commodities.