ONION (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable cultivated and used around the world. It is widely consumed in Guyana. All onions (white and red varieties) found on the local markets are imported from the United States of America, Canada or India.

Guyana has the available land and soil quality (loamy sands and sandy loams) along with climatic suitability to successfully cultivate onions on a large scale and satisfy its local demand.   Research done during the period 2015 – 2020 showed that short-day varieties of both white and red onions can be successfully grown under shaded and open field conditions.

Farmers in Regions Three, Four, Six and 10 have successfully cultivated ¼ area plots of onions under open field conditions. Areas planted included Supply, Jonestown, Canal # 1, Parika, Free and Easy, Nurney, Kildonan, Bush lot, Bright town, Light Town, Phillipi, Transport and West Wootaka.

Onion cultivation will support the agricultural diversification programme that seeks to reduce the number of onions imported and provide food security, especially in hinterland areas. The cultivation of onions under shaded and open field conditions will make all-year-round production possible. Varieties that are adapted to local soil types and ecological conditions are Mercedes, Red Creole, Yellow F1 Granex and Texas Early Grano.

The sourcing of new varieties with desired traits and incorporating them into the already successful varieties provides a way of securing our future. Strengthening crop resilience, however, will require a combination of actions, including maintaining and expanding crop portfolios, using both traditional and innovative approaches.