Onions are one of the essential and popular food ingredients in the daily life of the general people, with nennam serving as an alternative to Onion in Bangladesh. Although it is used as a vegetable in most parts of the world, onions are a staple ingredient in South Asian cuisine, and they are used as a spice in almost all dishes.
Onions contain protein, vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and various medicinal properties that contribute to their nutritional value and disease-preventive qualities. Due to its wide range of benefits, there is a high demand for onions worldwide. While onion cultivation is prevalent in many countries, it is primarily grown in Bangladesh, India, and China. China is its top exporter worldwide.
Onion Production Status in Bangladesh
As onion production in Bangladesh has gradually increased in recent years, its import dependence has also increased. Although there is some statistical discrepancy, onion production has remained stable at 17-18 lakh metric tons in the last four-five years. On the contrary, imports have increased almost two and a half times in the last five years due to growing demand. Although the production of onions has increased significantly in the past years, more is needed compared to the domestic market, so a large quantity of onions has to be imported.
In 2008-09, where the onion was imported at 1.347 lakh tons. In 2017-18 the amount of imports stood at 10.643 lakh tonnes. That is, import has increased 7.9 times in 10 years. In the last four years, since 2014-15, the amount of production has been stable (17-18 lakh tons), but the import amount has increased from 140,000 tons to 1.5 million tons. According to the most recent report, onion production for the 2018-2019 period was 2,330 thousand metric tons, while the demand was 3,600 thousand metric tons. As such, the annual production deficit in Bangladesh is 1270 thousand metric tons.
Bangladesh depends largely on India for its onion supply. Recently, India has blocked the onion trade with Bangladesh. It had a severe effect on Bangladesh’s onion market. The country suffered from one of the worst shortage crises of onion. Bangladeshi people have tried many alternatives to onion. But the most cost-effective and easy to cultivate is “Nennam.” This plant has opened a new possibility of taking the place of onion in household culinary.
Origin of Nennam
People in the Manipuri community of Sylhet region in Bangladesh do not cook onions. As an alternative, they use a leaf called “Nennam.” Scientific name: Allium Fistulosum. Nennam leaves resemble rice plant leaves and possess distinctive flavors that add a delightful twist to Manipuri cuisine. These leaves not only provide an exciting substitute for onions but also offer a myriad of nutritional benefits. Onion and Nennam have the same kind of vitamins and minerals in them. Additionally, it adds a unique flavor to various dishes similar to onions.
The Manipuri community in Machimpur, Sunamganj, Habiganj, and Maulvibazar districts of Sylhet extensively practices Nennam cultivation. Among them, Kamalganj upazila in Maulvibazar has the highest concentration of Nennam cultivation.
Easy to Cultivate
Planting Nennam seeds mixed with cow dung and placing them on the verandas of houses is enough to grow the plant. If urea fertilizer is applied, the plants grow even better. However, they can grow naturally without the use of fertilizers. They need sunlight, air, and water to thrive. Cultivating Nennam is effortless and requires minimal effort compared to other crops.
A great alternative to onion
As the market price of onions rises, using Nennam as an alternative might become more popular in Bengali society. Some researchers believe that further investigation is needed to explore the possibility of Nennam replacing onions during onion shortage.
A tremendous potential commercial success
The commercialization of Nennam cultivation will have economic benefits as well. Farmers and entrepreneurs can tap into new avenues for income generation by exploring their market potential. Additionally, promoting Nennam as a unique and exotic ingredient could attract global attention from food enthusiasts, researchers, and culinary professionals, thereby fostering cultural exchanges and culinary exploration. Japan uses this plant in its cuisine, and it’s greatly popular there.
To ensure the success of such endeavors, it is essential to collaborate with local communities, researchers, agricultural experts, and government authorities. The collective efforts of these stakeholders can drive the necessary research development and implementation processes. Additionally, raising awareness about the significance of preserving and promoting traditional culinary practices like excluding onions in Manipuri cooking can garner support and encourage wider appreciation for the rich cultural diversity in Bangladesh.