For generations, onions were a staple crop for farmers in Sindh, but a combination of disease outbreaks, mounting financial losses, and weak institutional support is now pushing many growers to abandon the vegetable altogether. The shift is particularly stark in areas like Tandojam, where traditional onion producers are converting their fields to bananas, a crop they see as more resilient and profitable. This quiet exodus from onion cultivation carries significant implications for Pakistan's food security and agricultural economy. Main Developments Noor Ahmed Marri, a smallholder who once cultivated onions on 25 acres, has not grown the crop for several years. His extended family, which collectively managed over 100 acres of onions, has similarly switched to banana cultivation. The decision came after repeated crop failures that he attributes to a persistent disease, despite his attempts to apply various treatments. Syed Nadeem Shah, another seasoned grower, echoes Marri's experience, noting that he too has avoided onion sowing after losing crops in consecutive years despite trying different methods. These growers say they received no guidance from agricultural research bodies or the provincial agriculture department on managing the disease, which they believe has been identified as Fusarium, a soil-borne fungus. Read also: Why Pakistan's Daily Fuel Pricing Isn't Real Deregulation Researcher Khalid Iqbal Rajput confirmed that samples from affected crops were sent to multiple institutions, including the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Faisalabad, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, and Karachi University. The diagnosis was Fusarium, but growers report that they were not informed about effective control measures or ways to improve crop quality. The economic toll is severe. Marri reports that his family incurred a loss of Rs15 million in 2022 alone. Cultivating a single acre of onions costs between Rs125,000 and Rs150,000, largely due to expensive seeds. For many, the risk is simply no longer worth the potential return, especially when a disease can wipe out the entire crop. Background Sindh is Pakistan's largest onion-producing province, followed by Balochistan, with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also contributing to national output. Onions are the country's second most important vegetable after potatoes, with annual consumption of around 1.8 million tons. The crop is a kitchen essential, and fresh supplies arrive year-round, starting in Balochistan around September, followed by Sindh in November, and then other provinces. Commonly grown varieties include Nasarpuri and Phulkara. Onions are perishable and typically not stored, and nurseries are prepared 30–40 days before transplantation. The crop is often intercropped with sugarcane, a practice that many growers have mastered; the onion is harvested before sugarcane matures, avoiding competition. The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26 reported a 2.2% decline in onion production, confirming the losses experienced by farmers. A 2020 study by the Planning Commission, titled "Onion Cluster Feasibility and Transformation Study," had already identified systemic issues. It noted that onion was grown on 136,000 hectares with production of 1.74 million tons up to 2016, with subsequent production fluctuating between 1.8 and 2.2 million tons. At the time of the study, Pakistan's national onion acreage was around 168,000 hectares, with Sindh accounting for 38% of the area and 44% of production, and Balochistan contributing 21% of area and 33% of output. The study highlighted that Pakistan's average yield is only 71% of the world average, and the country exports just 2.5% of its production compared to the global average of 7.5%. It called for improvements in per-hectare yield, exportability, and value chain development. Why It Matters The decline in onion cultivation in Sindh threatens to disrupt domestic supply and increase reliance on imports, potentially driving up prices for consumers. Onions are a dietary staple, and any shortage can have immediate inflationary effects. Moreover, the loss of a major crop undermines the livelihoods of thousands of smallholders who lack the resources to switch to alternative crops. Mahmood Nawaz Shah, president of the Sindh Abadgar Board, notes that farmers feel helpless about onions. The 120-day crop is often grown alongside sugarcane, which requires a full year to mature. While intercropping expertise exists, the unending disease-driven losses have made onions unviable for many producers. Without intervention, the trend could accelerate, further shrinking domestic production. Exports, which go primarily to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East, are also at risk. As exporter Shaikh Imtiaz points out, Pakistan only benefits from onion exports when India's crop is delayed or affected by weather. Even then, export surplus is achievable only through value addition, since low retail prices