Field Visit on Early Onion Cultivation and Irrigation Practices

On April 6, 2026, a field visit and meetings with farmers cultivating early onions were conducted within the framework of the “Value Chain Agro Finance” project.

The main objective of the visit was to assess the current situation in onion cultivation, evaluate field conditions and farmers’ perspectives, and compare the effectiveness of traditional furrow irrigation and drip irrigation systems.

During the meetings, it was noted that traditional irrigation remains widely used but is associated with high labor input and significant water losses. Irrigating one plot can take from 24 to 48 hours due to water seepage and the lack of canal lining. Water losses within on-farm canals can reach up to 45 percent. This also creates conflicts among farmers due to water shortages, requiring them to constantly monitor water distribution in the fields. The average cost of one irrigation is about 500 KGS per hectare, with a flow rate of 50-60 liters per second and 15-20 irrigation cycles per season.

At the same time, some farmers have shifted to drip irrigation using wells and water storage basins. This system virtually eliminates water losses and significantly improves efficiency. However, operational costs are twice as high, and initial investments range from 70,000 to 80,000 USD per hectare.

A comparison of yields in 2025 demonstrated a clear advantage of modern technologies. Under traditional irrigation, yields reached about 26 tons per hectare, while drip irrigation achieved up to 60 tons per hectare.

Key risks for 2026 include rising prices for mineral fertilizers and expected increases in irrigation water tariffs. At the same time, there are positive developments. This year, water supply started earlier, allowing farmers to carry out the first irrigation on time. Favorable spring rainfall has also had a positive impact on crop conditions. Farmers expect high yields by the end of the season.