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UHF Nauni hosted a garlic seminar to promote local seed use, value addition, and modern practices in Sirmaur.
By Robin Kumar Attri
Seminar held at UHF Nauni on June 19, 2025, for Sirmaur garlic farmers.
Aim to reduce seed imports and promote local garlic seed production.
100 farmers attended; value addition and processing techniques discussed.
Garlic cultivation increased from 1,500 to 4,000 hectares since 2015.
Exhibition of local garlic varieties organised with prizes for farmers.
A two-day seminar on ‘Garlic Seed Production and Value Addition for Enhancing Farmers Income in District Sirmaur’ was held on June 19, 2025, at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The seminar focused on helping garlic farmers in Sirmaur increase their income through local seed production, value addition, and the adoption of modern farming techniques.
Organised by the Department of Seed Science and Technology, this event was conducted under the centrally sponsored MIDH scheme on spices, with support from the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, Calicut (Kerala), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Nearly 100 progressive garlic farmers from across the Sirmaur district participated in the seminar.
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In his welcome speech, Dr. Narender Bharat, Head of the Department, highlighted that the MIDH spice development project has been running in Himachal Pradesh since 2015-16. The project promotes the commercial cultivation of spices like garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander, and fenugreek by offering on-farm demonstrations, seed production support, technology transfer, natural farming practices, and seed storage development.
He also noted the rise in garlic cultivation area in Sirmaur, from 1,500 hectares in 2015-16 to nearly 4,000 hectares by 2024, with annual production reaching 60,000 metric tonnes. However, he raised concerns over Rs 60 crore being spent every year on buying garlic seeds from other states, especially Jammu and Kashmir. This, he said, could be reduced by encouraging local seed production.
The Chief Guest, Professor Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of the University, said garlic has been declared as the ‘One District, One Crop’ for Sirmaur under a government initiative. He said this move can be a major income booster for farmers if supported with better training, infrastructure, and marketing.
He acknowledged challenges such as price drops due to market oversupply and suggested that farmers should be trained in value addition and food processing techniques. He also proposed extracting garlic oil and exploring its demand in the pharmaceutical industry to increase garlic's market value.
Prof. Chandel stressed the importance of collaborating with the university for seed production and entrepreneurship. He also highlighted the potential of radiation technology to increase garlic’s shelf life, disease resistance, and prevent sprouting.
Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Director of Research at UHF, focused on the need to reduce production costs and improve quality through scientific farming. He urged farmers to join Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to improve market access and collective selling power.
He added that scientific methods could significantly boost garlic yield and quality, while reducing the financial burden on farmers.
Based on feedback from garlic farmers, the seminar covered several important topics, including:
Seed production methods
Germplasm conservation
Plant protection strategies
Garlic value addition and food processing
Experts from the Department of Food Science and Technology also organised live demonstrations for making value-added garlic products. These hands-on sessions aimed to help farmers learn how to process and market their produce for better profits.
To promote local garlic varieties, an exhibition-cum-competition was organised as part of the event. Participating farmers displayed their indigenous garlic cultivars, and winners were awarded prizes to encourage the conservation and use of traditional seeds.
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This two-day garlic-focused seminar at UHF Nauni served as a valuable platform for farmers in Sirmaur to learn, connect, and explore ways to boost their income. With expert advice, live training, and government support, garlic cultivation in the region is set to move toward self-reliance, profitability, and sustainability.
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