Drumstick: The Highly Profitable Vegetable crop
Which is the highly profitable vegetable crop?
Drumstick is the highly profitable vegetable. In this post will know about the cultivation practice of annual moringa, medicinal values and its marketing.
General information:
Common name: Drum stick (ड्रम स्टिक)
Other names: Moringa, munga (मुनगा), Sahjan (सहजन)
Scientific name: Moringa oleifera L.
Family: Moringaceae
Chromosome number: The 2n of drumstick is 22.
| Contents |
|---|
| (1). The cultivation practice of annual drumstick or moringa |
| (2). Why drumstick cultivation is a highly profitable agribusiness? |
| (3). Marketing and marketing strategies |
Also read: Top 10 farming business ideas
(1). The cultivation practice of annual drumstick or moringa
1.1: Land and land preparation
1.1.1: Soil
(Also read: Which is the most fertile soil)
Selection of soil is very important for M. oleifera. It can’t survive well in marshy soil, because damping off is a major disease of this plant.
Although it can grow successful in a wide range of soil, but the best soil for M. oleifera is sandy loam soil. Sandy loam soil has the following properties for the better development of plants:
- Good water holding capacity.
- Better drainage.
- Excellent root development.
- Better aeration.
Soil should be free from disease causing organism.
Also read: 5 ways to increase soil fertility
1.1.2: Selection of land
M. oleifera is the major vegetable plant of plains, although it can be seen growing in the plateau region. The average altitude for the commercial cultivation of moringa is 350 – 600 m.
1.1.3:Selection of site
- Select upland site.
- Don’t prefer sunk en landscape.
- Site should be away from urban areas.
- It should get sufficient sunlight.
- Site should be square and even.
1.1.4: Distribution
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
1.1.5: Climate
(a). It prefers Tropical and Subtropical climate.
(b). It is a non climacteric vegetable.
(c). It is not a hard plant.
(d). It can’t resist long dry spells.
(e). Young plants are prone to fast and hot wind.
It is a plant of rainfed tropical and subtropical areas. Being a deciduous tree, it drops leaves during summer season. Ideal temperature is 25 °C – 32 °C.
1.1.6: Planting materials
Method of propagation in moringa.
We use one of the following planting materials for the propagation of moringa:
- Seed.
- Stem cutting.
Propagation by seeds: Collect mature seeds during the spring season. Don’t pick diseased seeds. Keep it in safe place.
Sow the seeds in polythene bags during June – July. Irrigate it regularly until the emergence of plants. You can transplant these seedlings into main field after the one month of germination.
Stem cutting
- Take a garden saw.
- Cut any fresh branch using garden saw.
- The length of the stem cutting should be 3 – 5 feet.
- Always choose one year old branch as propagation material.
1.1.7: Planting
Size of pits is 45 × 45 × 45 cm. Dig the pits in the month of May – June to expose the soil to direct sunlight. Don’t forget to add 15 – 20 kg of farm yard manure or vermicompost in each pit.
Gap filling: It is very necessary. Gap filling is done after one month. Replace the dead or weak plants with vigorous one.
High density planting
- It is followed in annual species/varieties.
- The space in high density planting is 1.5 × 1.0 m.
1.1.8: Intercultural operations
- Management of harmful insect-pests is very important in case of high density.
- Weed management is an important step.
Pinching:
Annual moringa: Perform pinching in tender plants. The height of people pinching is 75 cm from the ground level. Pinching promotes the growth of lateral branches. More lateral branches means more production.
Perennial: Select shoots for pinching. Start pinching at 70 cm distance from the tip. This process will regulate the emergence of new flushes as well as flowering.
Inter-cropping:
Annual species: You can grow short duration crop among annual species of moringa. Examples of suitable crops are: Cow pea, pea, okra, tomato, brinjal, etc.
Perennial species: You can grow short duration vegetable crops as well as annual vegetable crops among perennial species of moringa. Examples of suitable crops are: Cow pea, pea, okra, tomato, brinjal, onion, garlic, ginger, chilli, etc.
1.1.9: Fertilization
Also read: Organic nutrients source for plants
(1). Dose of N: Apply 45 kg of N for 13,333 plants in one ha.
(2). Dose of P: Apply 15 kg of N for 13,333 plants in one ha.
(3). Dose of K: Apply 30 kg of N for 13,333 plants in one ha.
*Note: It is applicable for normal soil. Consider soil type and the nutrients stage of your land. Soil testing is necessary before the application of chemical fertilizers.
1.1.10: Irrigation
Drip irrigation is the best irrigation system for this crop. Install drip irrigation system in your farm. You can apply for drip irrigation system through government schemes.
Also read: Drip irrigation government scheme
Irrigation without drip
- First irrigation: Irrigate the crop just after planting/ sowing.
- Second irrigation: Irrigate the crop 3 days after planting/sowing.
- Regular irrigation: Irrigate the field at the intervals of 10 – 15 days.
- Irrigation depends on the type of soil.
1.1.11: Insect-pest and their management
Moringa pod fly
- It is one of the major pest.
- Larval stage is harmful.
- Adults lay eggs inside the sticks.
- Larvae start feeding after hatching.
Management:
- Trap crop: Grow tomato as trap crop.
- Spray chlorpyriphos as a systemic insecticide.
- Soil application of thiamethoxam is beneficial in annual crop.
- Use profenophos or spinosad.
Bud worm
Damage:
- The worm attacks on new buds.
- It significantly reduces the overall production.
- Damaging stage is larva.
Management: Use carbaryl as spray or dust @20 – 25 kg per ha.
Leaf caterpillar
- It causes damage by feeding on leaves.
- The larvae feeds on all type of leaves.
- They are the heavy feeders of leaves.
- Leaves are not suitable for consume.
Management: Use chlorpyriphos.
Leaf webber
- The larvae make webs in leaves.
- It inhibits photosynthesis.
- Leaves are not suitable for consume.
Management: Apply chlorpyriphos.
Hairy caterpillar
- Hairy caterpillar is also a major pest of this crop.
- Use flame trap to control this trap.
1.1.12: How to take ratoon crop?
- Cut back the tree at the height of 90 cm from the ground level.
- It will start fruiting just after one year.
- Practice ratoon cropping for 3 – 4 years.
- Apply 25 – 30 kg of vermicompost each year.
1.1.13: Yield
Yield of pods:
- 50 – 60 tonnes of pods/ha.
- 225 pods ptree pe year.
(2). Why drumstick cultivation is a highly profitable agribusiness?
Also read: Low risk agribusiness
2.1: Area
The actual area under this crop is negligible. It is very less as compared to other staple crops. If it is cultivated commercially, then there cannot be any other crop giving more profit than this. It is very important that the youth who are unable to get a job after getting higher education should take up such activities.
2.2: Production
It is a very fast growing plant. It grows a lot within a single year. Seedling plants give good crop after 3 years, whereas the plants prepared from stem cuttings start giving production in 1.5 years. Good soil and favorable climate play an important role in maximum production. Due to higher production per plant, there is always a possibility of higher profits.
2.3: Usefulness
Pods:
- Pods are used as vegetable.
- Tender pods are excellent form of Vegetable.
Leaves:
- The moringa leaves have medicinal properties.
- Leaves are consumed as vegetable.
- Moringa leaf powder has many uses.
2.4: Medicinal value
(1). It is rich I vitamin C and antioxidants, (2). It is useful in cold, common flu, infections, etc. (3). It has anti inflammatory properties. (4). It has anti bacterial properties. (5). It is useful against asthma, cough, and respiratory problems.
Major components
| Prtein | It is 9.40g per 100g. |
| Vitamin C | 51.7mg per 100g. |
| Pottasium | 337mg per 100g |
2.5: Demand
The availability of a similar type of vegetables is seen in the markets. This is the reason why there is always a search for a new product by a consumer. Because it is not cultivated traditionally, that is why it is always in demand in the markets.
(3). Marketing and marketing strategies
Also read: Characteristics and problems in Indian agriculture
For this it is very important to find the right market.
Market in rural areas: These areas have an average of 10 – 15 trees. Farming is negligible on a commercial scale. Its demand increases with the arrival of the season in rural areas.
Market in urban areas: Its planting in urban areas is negligible. Therefore, its demand is very high in these areas. Even more profit can be earned by doing small scale farming.
3.1: Market price
Due to not being a traditional vegetable crop, its price is high. Its price per kg is always higher as compared to other vegetables. It never diminishes. So there is always the possibility of higher profits.
3.2: Marketing channels
3.2.1: Villages
Village markets are the major place to sell your products. These are weekly markets. Select 7 – 10 markets to sell the products.
Option 01:
- Spot a market.
- Secure a place in market.
- Sell vegetables.
Option 02:
- Spot a market.
- Talk with vegetable sellers.
- Sell it to them in bulk quantity.
3.2.2: Urban areas or cities
- Select a land nearby a city or urban area.
- Develop a farm.
- Establishment a moringa farm.
- Manage your own means of transportation.
Now,
- Spot all vegetables markets in that city.
- Talk with vegetable sellers.
- Make a contract with them for that season.
- Sell it to them directly.