India is the second largest producer of onion in the world, next to China. Its share in the world production was around 18% during 2017-18. However, this sector is constrained by high cost of production, huge post-harvest losses, and weak supply chain. Total losses (causes predominantly include physiochemical changes, weight loss, neck rotting and sprouting) - account for 40%- 50% of the total yield. These losses can be reduced by proper curing and storage conditions. DOGR, Pune has requested IIT Bombay to design an onion storage structure to reduce the losses. The objective of this project is to design a small-scale integrated curing and storage structure for onions to minimize losses by approximately 80%-90%.

The system will also provide inbuilt drying chamber so that farmers could process the onion and enhance their shelf life.