Aloe vera – A Scope of Commercial Cultivation

Aloe Vera Cultivation

In these days the farmers are in the needs of the diversification of their cropping patterns from the traditional cropping patterns to enhance their income from their agriculture farm. It will be possible only when farmers will adopt inter cropping; mix cropping as well as trading of farm produce would be done directly by them or through Farmers Produce Organisation. It is necessity of the present market trend.

Introduction

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a popular medicinal plant. It belongs to liliaceae family. It is a perennial plant, growing to the height of 1.5 – 2.5 ft. Its leaves are long and thick, juicy. The two sides of the leaves have thorny structure with a thorny tip. The inner substance of the leaves is jelly like. The length of the leaves ranges from 25-30 cm., while the breadth ranges from 3-5 cm. Normally vegetative propagation is easy and convenient. Medicinal plants and ayurvedic medicines are becoming popular in these days as all world population is health conscious. Worldwide aloe vera market is increasing day by day.  India has a share of 10 percent in world market in the aloe vera production which could be enhanced by its commercial cultivation. Basically gulf countries are main importer of aloe vera juice from India.

All part of aloe vera like leaves, flowers & juice are used as medicine. Leaves are used for prepare medicines. Intake of juice of leave, improves hunger, helps in digestion & cures constipation. Besides, all it is good medicine for many other diseases.

Soil and Climate

Aloe vera is grown in all kind of soils but well drained soil with high organic matter, is most suitable. It grows well in bright sun light. Shady conditions results in disease infestation It is highly sensitive to water stagnation. Therefore, well drained high land should be selected for its cultivation. Aloevera is to grow from suckers raised from roots of the plants.

Spacing

Commonly a spacing of 1.75 x 2 ft or 1.5 x 2 ft is followed. Land Preparation About 2-3 ploughing and laddering are done to make the soil weed free and friable. Land leveling is then followed. It should be batter to plant on raised ridge, otherwise on plane field having some slop should be choose by the farmers. As such about 12500 to 14500 plant will be transplant in one acre land for commercial cultivation of aloe vera .

Manure and Fertilizers

During land preparation, about 4  ton FYM / Acre should be  applied. As such Urea 30 Kg , SSP 150 Kg & MOP 50 kg should also incorporated in one acre of land during land preparation. As well as for 150 Kg  Neem Cake  /  acre  may be applied to control termites.

Sowing time

Except month of November, December and January, all time you can transplant the aloe vera crop.

Irrigation

Frequently irrigation is must for this crop for commercial viability and to strengthen the pulp quantity of aloe vera. Aloe vera is slightly tolerant to drought, but very sensitive to water stagnation. So proper drainage is more important than irrigation.

Plant Protection

Basically aloe vera is an insect /pest free plant but some care should be taken to improve the health of the plant by using organic products like Neem Oil , vermivash , other plant extracts for good result. Beside this regular hoeing and irrigation is must for better result.

Yield

As per various feedback received from aloe vera growing farmers the harvesting of leaves starts after 10-12 months of planting. After one year harvesting is done regularly intervals of 6 month. In second year it gives maximum yield and for about 4-5 years good yield could be harvested. As concerned to yield about 2 kg leaves per plant is received in 2^nd year and gradually increased up to 4 kg per plant in subsequent years. As such 2-5 suckers would be developed from each developed plant which can be enhance the extra income of the farmers.

 Cost of Cultivation & Returns

Normally Rs.45000/- to be incurred for Aloe vera cultivation per acre of land.  However, various State Government are providing subsidies to the farmers on this type of medicinal plants time to time, this would be minimise the initial cost of farmers. Better management can results in much higher income and net profit to the farmers.

Rajesh K Dhull,Horticulturist

For more information about Agriculture and Livestock, download Apni Kheti app – Android, iPhone