ReinaSligo4 at 09:24, 30 November 2025

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{{Short description|Type of onion variety from Maharashtra, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name =Lasalgaon onion (लासलगाव कांदा)
| image =Lasalgaon Manganga Gulabi Onions freshly plucked from a field.jpg
| alt =Lasalgaon Manganga Gulabi Onions freshly plucked from a field
| caption = Lasalgaon Manganga Gulabi Onions freshly plucked from a field
| alternative names =Niphad red, Nashik red, Lasalgaon Light Red
| description =Lasalgaon onion is a red onion variety in [[Maharashtra]]
| type =[[onion]]
| area = Lasalgaon
| country = [[India]]
| registered = 31 March 2016
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/491|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Lasalgaon onion''' is a variety of [[red onion]] grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Onions sell at record price of Rs 130 per kg in wholesale market in Lasalgaon; rates to go up even further, caution traders |url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/onions-sell-at-record-price-of-rs-130-per-kg-in-wholesale-market-in-lasalgaon-rates-to-go-up-even-further-caution-traders-7737461.html |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Firstpost |date=4 December 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref> It is a common and widely cultivated crop in [[Lasalgaon]] located in the [[Niphad|Niphad taluka]] of the [[Nashik district]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Onion shortage: Here's why farmers gained little from record price rise |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/onion-shortage-here-s-why-farmers-gained-little-from-record-price-rise-119121101426_1.html |access-date=5 December 2024 |agency=Business Standard}}</ref> Lasalgaon has the largest onion market in India and the [[Asia|Asian continent]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lasalgaon onion market sets aside 74-yr-old belief to recover Covid losses, keeps business open on Amavasya |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/lasalgaon-onion-market-covid-losses-7353693/ |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=11 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Pandit |first1=Vinaya Deshpande |title=Onion export duty slash: Mixed reactions in India's largest onion producing State |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/onion-export-duty-slash-mixed-reactions-in-indias-largest-onion-producing-state/article68643014.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=5 December 2024 |language=en-IN |date=14 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Onion farmers content as prices up ahead of Maharashtra polls |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/onion-farmers-content-as-prices-up-ahead-of-maharashtra-polls-101731174572064.html |access-date=5 December 2024 |agency=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/other/onion-export-ban-withdrawal-too-late-lasalgaon-farmers-traders/ar-BB1mpos4?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=www.msn.com}}</ref> Significantly, the Lasalgaon onion market rate serves as a benchmark, influencing onion prices across the Asian market.<ref>{{cite news |title=Onion prices rise in Lasalgaon wholesale market after scrapping of MEP |url=https://www.business-standard.com/industry/agriculture/onion-prices-rise-in-lasalgaon-wholesale-market-after-scrapping-of-mep-124091400707_1.html |access-date=5 December 2024 |agency=Business Standard Private Ltd}}</ref>

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

==Name==
Lasalgaon is a prominent hub for onion cultivation and thus the onion's name is derived from this town, with 99% of its agricultural area dedicated to this crop, engaging over 1,000 farmers. The region's onion market is equally impressive, handling approximately 2.5 lakh tonnes of onions annually. This variety is also known by other names, including Niphad red and Nashik red.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wazir |first1=Ravi |title=Beyond the Menu: A Restaurant Start-up Guide: Launching and Managing a Profitable Restaurant |date=20 June 2024 |publisher=Jaico Publishing House |isbn=978-81-19792-23-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=21UWEQAAQBAJ&dq=Lasalgaon+onion+black+soil&pg=PT97 |access-date=5 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Local name===
It is known locally as "Lasalgaon Kanda" (लासलगाव कांदा). The word "Kanda" means onion in the local state language of [[Marathi language|Marathi]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kanda Bajarbhav : लासलगाव-निफाड मार्केटमधील उन्हाळ कांदा बाजारभाव, जाणून घ्या सविस्तर |url=https://www.lokmat.com/agriculture/market-yard/latest-news-kanda-bajarbhav-summer-onion-market-price-in-lasalgaon-niphad-market-know-in-detail-a-a993/ |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Lokmat |date=22 September 2024 |language=mr}}</ref>

==Description==
List of characteristics and facts about Lasalgaon onion:<ref>{{cite web |title=Lasalgaon Onion |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/491 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref>

===Characteristics===
* Light red color with strong pungent taste
* High percentage of Sulphur in the soil<ref>{{cite news |title=8 Unique GI Tagged Foods In Maharashtra You Should Try |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/food/news/8-unique-gi-tagged-foods-in-maharashtra-you-should-try-article-111218540 |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Times Now |date=24 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
* Larger bulb size (4–6 cm diameter)<ref>{{cite web |title=Geographical indications of vegetables in india |url=https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IndHort/article/download/105392/41266/272934 |website=Indian Council of Agricultural Research |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref> with 16-17 layers of outer dried intact scales
* High total soluble sugar content (13°Brix) and high dry matter content (17.67-17.27%)
* Long storage life (8–9 months)

===Uses===
* Used in direct consumption or mixed with other vegetables and soups
* Used as a condiment and flavoring agent
* Made into [[sauce]], [[ketchup]], and [[chutney]]
* Exported as dried onion chips and powder
* Rich in vitamins B and C, and minerals Ca and Fe
* Medicinal properties for treating ear aches, colic pain, and more<ref>{{cite news |title=Agriculture department starts Geographical Indication process for Lasalgaon onions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/agriculture-department-starts-geographical-indication-process-for-lasalgaon-onions/articleshow/45486543.cms |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=12 December 2014}}</ref>

===Cultivation===
* Onion production typically occurs in three seasons: [[Kharif crop|Kharif]] (May–July to Oct-Dec.), Late-Kharif (Aug-Sep. to Jan-Mar), and [[Rabi crop|Rabi]] (Oct-Nov. to April–June).<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Kharif onion cultivation doubles in Nashik dist |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/kharif-onion-cultivation-doubles-in-nashik-dist/articleshow/113576331.cms |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=22 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Why onion prices have crashed in Lasalgaon wholesale market |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-onion-prices-have-crashed-in-lasalgaon-wholesale-market-8470045/#:~:text=Farmers%20grow%20three%20crops%20in,from%20a%20bunching%20of%20arrivals. |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=28 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* The Lasalgaon Light Red variety is specifically cultivated during the Rabi season, which spans from October to March.
* Lasalgaon has a well-established market with many traders and a railway station, facilitating efficient marketing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Railways to provide more rakes for onion transportation |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/central-railway-boosts-onion-transportation-with-increased-rakes/articleshow/113557099.cms |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=21 September 2024}}</ref> The region's traditional method of onion storage (chawl) and cultivation practices have been passed down through generations.

===Soil and Climate===
* The [[Black Soil|black soil]] of Lasalgaon has a unique composition, with high [[alumina]], carbonates of [[calcium]] and [[magnesium]], and variable amounts of [[potash]]. The soil pH ranges from 6–8, making it mildly to moderately alkaline. The high [[Sulfur|sulphur]] content in the soil contributes to the onion's pungent taste.

===Storage facilities===
* [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre|The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)]] has established a specialized cold storage facility for onions at Krushak, the irradiation centre in Lasalgaon, Nashik in December 2023. This facility boasts a storage capacity of 250 tonnes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Onion cold storage facility at Lasalgaon irradiation plant |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/onion-cold-storage-facility-at-lasalgaon-irradiation-plant/articleshow/105871900.cms |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=10 December 2023}}</ref>

===Exports===
* The export of Lasalgaon onions is driven by strong demand from countries such as [[Singapore]], [[The United Arab Emirates|The United Arab Emirates (UAE)]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Maldives]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Foreign currencies from onion export dip 41% in last fiscal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/impact-of-centres-ban-on-onion-export-41-dip-in-foreign-currency-earnings/articleshow/111046426.cms |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=17 June 2024}}</ref>

==Photo Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Closeup of the onion cultivation in a field crop.jpg|Closeup of the onion cultivation in a field crop
File:Onion cultivation in a field.jpg|Onion cultivation in a field
File:Landscape view of onion cultivation at Lasalgaon.jpg|Landscape view of onion cultivation at Lasalgaon
File:Closeup view of onion collection.jpg|Closeup view of onion collection
</gallery>

==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 31 March 2016 and is valid until 28 November 2031.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Lasalgaon onion |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/491 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Niharika Sahoo |title=Geographical Indication Protection in India: The Evolving Paradigm |date=13 September 2022 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-981-19-4296-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BdiIEAAAQBAJ&dq=Lasalgaon+onion+GI&pg=PA210 |access-date=5 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

Baliraja Shetkari Gat from Lasalgaon, proposed the GI registration of Lasalgaon onion. After filing the application in November 2021, the Onion was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Lasalgaon onion" exclusive to the Onion grown in the region. It thus became the second onion variety from India after [[Bangalore rose onion]] of [[Karnataka]] and the 17th type of goods from Maharashtra to earn the GI tag.<ref>{{cite news |title=GI seal set to make Lasalgaon's onions a brand |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/gi-seal-set-to-make-lasalgaons-onions-a-brand/articleshow/51656584.cms |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=2 April 2016}}</ref>

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

==See also==
* [[Alibag White 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]]

Lasalgaon onion - Revision history

ReinaSligo4 at 09:24, 30 November 2025