ChetSena61 at 04:12, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T04:12:04Z

New page

{{Short description|Type of onion variety from Maharashtra, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name =Alibag White onion (अलिबाग पांढरा कांदा)
| image =Alibag White Onions from Pezari village of Alibag taluka.jpg
| alt =Alibag White Onions from Pezari village located in Alibag taluka
| caption =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
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/685|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Alibag White onion''' is a traditional variety of [[white onion]] grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jadhav |first1=Radheshyam |title=GI tag for Alibag's white onion brings cheer to farmers |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/gi-tag-for-alibags-white-onion-brings-cheer-to-farmers/article65680892.ece |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=BusinessLine |date=25 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> It is a common and widely cultivated crop in the [[Alibag taluka]] of the [[Raigad district]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Naik |first1=A. V. |last2=Kshirsagar |first2=P. J. |last3=Manerikar |first3=S. S. |last4=Gb |first4=Aiswarya |last5=Chavan |first5=R. A. |last6=Malave |first6=D. B. |title=Economic analysis of white onion in Raigad district of Maharashtra |journal=The Pharma Innovation Journal |date=2023 |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=1585–1589 |url=https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/?year=2023&vol=12&issue=1&ArticleId=18191 |access-date=7 December 2024 |language=en |issn=2277-7695}}</ref> 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, Khandale, Nehuli, 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alibag's famed white onion gets GI tag |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/alibags-famed-white-onion-gets-gi-tag-319235/ |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 January 2020 |first=Alka |last=Dhupkar |title=State eyes GI tag for Alibaug's white onion |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/state-eyes-gi-tag-for-alibaugs-white-onion/articleshow/73569161.cms |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Borse |first1=D. K. |last2=Patil |first2=K. D. |last3=Chavan |first3=L. S. |last4=Khade |first4=V. N. |title=Effects of Fertilizer Levels and Weed Control Measures on Growth and Yield of White Onion (Allium cepa) under North Konkan Coastal Zone of Maharashtra |url=https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/JISCAR/article/view/135915 |website=Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research |access-date=7 December 2024 |pages=19–23 |language=en |date=2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Maharashtra: Alibag's famed white onion gets GI tag |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra-alibags-famed-white-onion-gets-gi-tag-1036630.html |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Vidyapeeth |first1=Mahatma Phule Krishi |title=The Research Journal of Mahatma Phule Agricultural University |date=1971 |publisher=Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2aVLAAAAYAAJ&q=Alibag+White+onion |access-date=7 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

Under its [[Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indication]] tag, it is referred to as "Alibag White onion".<ref name=":0" />

==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 language|Marathi]].<ref>{{cite news |title=उन्हाळा असो वा पावसाळा! वाचा पांढरा कांदा खाण्याचे आरोग्यदायी फायदे |url=https://zeenews.india.com/marathi/health/white-onion-benefits-in-rainy-season-in-marathi/724571 |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=Zee 24 taas |date=28 June 2023 |language=mr}}</ref>

==Description==
List of characteristics and facts about Alibag White onion:<ref>{{cite web |title=Alibag White onion |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/685 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref>

===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<ref>{{cite news |title=Maharashtra: Alibaug white onion gets GI tag for health benefits |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/alibaug-white-onion-gets-gi-tag-for-health-benefits/articleshow/86718322.cms |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=3 October 2021}}</ref>
* 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 [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]], under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]], on 16 November 2022.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Alibag White onion |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/685 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha |title=Nine products from across country get GI tag, Kerala tops table |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/nine-products-from-across-country-get-gi-tag-kerala-tops-table/article66264105.ece |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=14 December 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Assam's Gamosa, Telangana's Tandur Redgram, Ladakh's apricot get GI tag |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/assam-s-gamosa-telangana-s-tandur-redgram-ladakh-s-apricot-get-gi-tag-122121400918_1.html |access-date=7 December 2024 |agency=Business-Standard}}</ref>

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 ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Allium}}

[[Category:Onion cultivars]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Maharashtrian cuisine]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Onion varieties of India]]
[[Category:Onion production in India]]
[[Category:Economy of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Agricultural production in India by commodity]]

Alibag White onion - Revision history

ChetSena61 at 04:12, 6 March 2025