Onion

Onions are the third most economically important vegetable for Brazil (EPAGRI, 2013). The cultivated area corresponds to 60,000 hectares, with an average productivity of 25.9 ton/ha (IBGE, 2014). The crop is very important for family and business agriculture, as it is labor-intensive, thus generating employment and income.

The state of Minas Gerais is not one of the largest onion producers in Brazil; however, the “Triângulo Mineiro” and “Alto Paranaíba” regions are the main producers of the crop in the state. The set of conditions favorable to cultivation have afforded high yields in the areas and have allowed them to stand out in bulb quality. The planting season positioning has been fundamental to success. In the above-mentioned region, planting begins in January and February to not coincide with the harvests of the main producing states.

As producers, during the sowing to harvest seasons in the field, we have invested continuously in the use of hybrid seeds, in periodic irrigation equipment use monitoring and measurement, in cutting-edge agricultural implements, and in specialized post-harvest processing labor. These tools maximize economic return due to the high productivity they afford, which contributes to satisfactory quality control that affords competitive advantages to the market.