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Monday, January 20, 2014

Irrigation Technology for Smallholders Farmers


Principles of drip irrigation
Drip irrigation involves supplying water to the soil very close to the plants at very low flow rates (0.5-10 liter/hr) from a plastic pipe fitted with outlets (drip emitters). The basic concept underlying the drip irrigation method is to maintain a wet bulb of soil in which plant roots suck water. Only the part of the soil immediately surrounding the plant is wetted. The volume and shape of the wet bulb irrigated by each drip emitter are a function of the characteristics of the soil (texture and hydraulic conductivity) and the discharge rate of the drip emitter. Applications are usually frequent (every 1–3 days) to maintain soil water content in the bulb close to field capacity.






The SMS Irrigation system
Assembly instructions:
1.     Prepare a rectangular area 7.5 wide × 16 m long.
2.     Peg out the position of beds and paths to accommodate 5 beds each 1m wide × 15 m long. Leave a path 20 cm wide between the beds.
3.   Connect the manifold by cutting the pipe into 3 pieces each 1.25 m long.  These are connected to the 3 tees and the 2 bends connected at the ends. The 3 tees and 2 bends on each side of the PVC pipe are designed to be centrally located on the five planting beds. Depending on the location of the drum, a tee is connected to channel the water from the drum to the manifold.
4.     Use PVC glue for leak-proof fitting and wait for the required duration to allow bonding.
5.     Lay out the drip tapes on the beds, two lines per bed, and insert the filter plugs into the open ends of the outlets in the manifold.

6.   Finally, connect one end of the connector tubing to the filter plug and insert the barb fitting to the other end. Connect the drip tube to the drip lock fitting.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Single Clove Garlic

Single Clove Garlic recipes for Ailments

Botanical Name: Allium Sativum 
Indian Name: Lahsoon
 

Single Clove Arya Garlic is not a Seeds
Single Clove Arya Garlic is known as the most potent herb on earth, Single Clove Arya Garlic can be rightly named as Emperor of Healing Herbs, as Garlic is called the King of Healing Herbs.

F There is no herb on the earth that has 17 amino acids, 33 sulphuric compounds, more than 200 enzymes and is a CURE for endless diseases.

ln herbal medicine, garlic has been traditionally used for asthma, deafness, leprosy, bronchial congestion, arteriosclerosis that is hardening of arteries fevers, worms and liver and gall bladder trouble. Garlic is good for the heart, a food for the hair, a stimulant to appetite, a strength giving food, useful in leucoderma, leprosy, piles, worms, catarrhal disorders, asthma and cough.

F Single Clove Arya Garlic is seven times stronger than the normal Garlic

The unpleasant odour in garlic is due to ifs sulphur compounds. Single Clove Arya Garlic juice has a most beneficial effect on the entire system. The ethers in garlic juice are so potent and penetrating, that they help dissolve accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities, bronchial tubes and the lungs. They help in the expulsion of poisons from body through pores of the skin. In a recent trial Arya garlic juice was inserted in a rat through injection, it showed amazing 72% cholesterol reduction.

F Garlic has at least 33 sulphuric compounds

Heart Attack & hypertension  : allyl mercapten is  the chemical present  Single Clove Arya Garlic  which not only helps to break up cholesterol in the blood vessels, but also prevents arthrosclerosis (formation of plaque in arteries) thereby preventing any hardening of arteries which leads to high blood pressure and heart attack.


F Single Clove Arya Garlic does not linger on breath unlike normal garlic

Cancer: Single Clove Arya Garlic has been known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant effects. Garlic and its preparations have been used for the treatment of prostate cancer and relief of BPH symptoms for decades. Selenium and Diallyl sulphides (DAS), i.e.  - Diallyl disulphides' (DADS) & trisulphides(DATS) a volatile organosulfur compounds ( both are fat soluble compounds ) present in garlic have been shown to possess various pharmacological effects including cancer preventive properties.
F Selenium: A sulphur type mineral that has anti oxidant properties & helps absorption of vitamins in body, it also helps prevent heavy metals from damaging the body.

Digestive Disorders : Single Clove Arya Garlic is good for the lymph, and aids elimination of noxious waste matter in the body. It helps in movement of the intestines and the secretion of the digestive juices. Two Crushed cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic may be infused in water or milk and taken for all disorders of digestion. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine.

Single Clove Arya garlic is an excellent worm expeller. It is also good in treating various forms of diarrhoea. Problems such as colitis, dysentery and many other intestinal disorders can be successfully treated with this garlic.

Diarrhoea. : One clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic taken thrice a day is usually sufficient to correct mild cases of diarrhoea or dysentery. For more persistent cases, up to 6 cloves a day can be taken. Garlic has the ability to destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines without affecting the beneficialorganisms which aid digestion.

F The level of selenium in Single Clove Arya Garlic is at least 9 ppm and is said to be Higher than any other plant on earth

High Blood Pressure: 
 Single Clove Arya Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for lowering blood pressure.  Researchers in the USA and in Oxford, UK, have found that Garlic helps to reduce high blood cholesterol levels. In trials a reduction of 12% was achieved after four weeks. Garlic also significantly lowered triglycerides (potentially harmful blood fats). Research by Dr. Paavo Airola, in Kerala, India, showed that Garlic reduced lipid fat levels in the blood and in the liver. Dr. Airola also reported on clinical trials on 114 patients in Germany that proved Garlic can reduce high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.

F The average dosage should be 2 to 4 cloves a day to reduce the blood pressure

Rheumatism: Single Clove Arya Garlic is used extensively in the treatment of rheumatism and associated diseases. Its anti inflammatory property accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism.

Whooping Cough : Syrup of  Single Clove Arya garlic in honey should be taken in doses of five drops to a teaspoon, two or three times a day in treating this condition. It should be given more often if the coughing spells are frequent and violent.

F Garlic also contains 17 amino acids, which include lysine, arginine and cysteine

Blood Disorders Single Clove Arya Garlic is regarded as a rejuvenator. It helps remove toxins, revitalise the blood, stimulate circulation and promote intestinal flora, or colony of bacteria that prevent infection by harmful bacteria.

Skin Disorders: Pimples disappear without a scar when rubbed with raw clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic several times a day. Even very persistent forms of acne, have been healed with this garlic. The external use of garlic helps to clear the skin of spots pimples and boils.

F Alliin (an amino acid) can kill a wide spectrum of unfavourable microbes and bacteria

Diphtheria: Chewing a clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic cures the infected mucous membranes, reduces temperature and provides relief. About 30 to 60 grams of garlic can be used in this way in three or four hours for the membranes to disappear in a week.

Chest Diseases : Single Clove Arya Garlic reduces fetidity or stinking of the breath in pulmonary gangrene and in the treatment of tuberculosis. Garlic boiled in milk is a wonderful drug for tuberculosis.

10 - 12 cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic 250 ml of milk and a litre of water are boiled together till its reduces to one fourth of the decoction. It should be taken thrice a day. Taken in sufficient quantities, it is a marvellous remedy for pneumonia.

Asthma
·         3 - 4 cloves of Single Clove Arya garlic boiled in milk can be used every night with excellent results in asthma.
·         18- 20 Cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic are peeled, crushed and boiled in 120 ml pure malt vinegar. It is strained after cooling and an equal quantity of honey is mixed and preserved in a clean bottle.
·         One or two teaspoons of this syrup can be taken with fenugreek decoction in the evening and before retiring. This has been found effective in reducing the severity of asthmatic attacks.
·         Single Clove Arya Garlic juice taken with hot water twice a day.
·         10 drops of Single Clove Arya Garlic juice with 2 teaspoon of honey cures asthma. It can be administered at the time of attack also.

ACNE: Single Clove Arya Garlic & Orange peel paste has been found to be very effective treatment. Pound the orange peel with Single Clove Arya Garlic & water on a piece of stone to make a paste. Apply to the face, several times a day. It smells, but it works!

Warning: This treatment will affect your social life, but will deter vampires!
Also Eating three cloves of Single Clove Arya garlic daily can also help the condition that is creating the acne. Arya garlic is the best.

ATHLETE'S FOOT:  Ajoene is the garlic compound which has anti-fungal effects. Crush the Raw Garlic & apply in between the toes.
Alternatively, make a tincture.
Tincture recipe :  Put 20 to 30 either minced or whole garlic cloves, 2 to 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 to 4 teaspoons powdered cloves into 150 gms of 100-proof vodka in a dark-coloured glass jar or bottle with a lid. Seal tightly. Store out of direct sunlight, Keep shaking it every few days.

The tincture will be ready to use in 14 days. Apply the tincture to the sole of the foot and between the toes with cotton balls or a cloth. Apply twice a day, morning and evening. Let it dry, then dust the foot with talcum powder or corn starch. If a rash or any unusual irritation develops, discontinue and apply neat Lavender oil.
Filter the tincture and keep it in dark bottle and it should last you at least 2 years. This can be taken internally, for internal use add 12 - 15 drops of this tincture to half a glass of warm water and drink it twice a day. This is very good for any anti - bodies & internal fungus infections in the body.


COLD SORES:  Dab the outbreak with a fresh clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Apply several times a day.
CUTS:  Rub a cut Single Clove Arya Garlic clove over the cut if you think it might get infected. Garlic has a powerful natural antibiotic.
Cold & Flu: Just chew few cloves of Single Clove Arya garlic, either on its own or on a toast, it will help stop the cold.
Sore Throat: Eat Single Clove Arya Garlic with Honey 1 tsp of Honey with 2 cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic two to three times a day.
Persistent Cough :  8 to 10 cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic juice mixed with 2 Table Spoons of honey four times a day cures a persistent cough.
Bronchitis  : Procedure: Soak few crushed cloves of   Single Clove Arya Garlic in hot water bucket, put blanket over yourself and the bucket, to inhale steam.  Do this for at least 6- 8 times. Bronchitis will disappear.
Runny Nose : This maybe bit difficult for some: Crush 2 cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic that it would fit in the nostrils, and stick one in each nostril. If it hurts in your nostrils and you sneeze a lot, it's good, it means that there's infection and garlic is killing it. If in some time you stop sneezing, blowing your nose, and it won't hurt in your nostrils any more, put new pieces of garlic into your nostrils. But don't overdo it; otherwise, your nose may start bleeding."
Skin Blemishes:  Cover the blemish with a dab of Garlic ked honey (cloves of Garlic left in Honey for six weeks) and place a Band-Aid over it. The honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
For Moles : Apply crushed clove of  Single Clove Arya garlic  on a skin lesion abnormal but small skin growth under left eye for one week, it might sting  for duration of 5 minutes until it stung and will become little red (do not panic) ..The lesion will shrink and has disappear
Sensitive Teeth : Single Clove Arya garlic  peel n crush and rub it on your gums and tooth, alternatively if it hurting badly, then just leave few cloves of garlic in your mouth so that the juices flow, it might give you a burning sensation, but that will stop in a minute or two. You can combine garlic with one or two cloves & then apply the paste on teeth.
Insect bites: Crush a clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic & apply the juice on rashes and bug bites.  It stops the itching immediately."
Garlic is a Potential Antidote for Cadmium and Lead Intoxication
Single Clove Arya Garlic  juice  or aqueous extract has been known to have reduced the Lead toxicity by  44.65 % - 66.62%, Cadmium toxicity by 72.5 %  -  95.6% & Combined, Lead + Cadmium toxicity by    48.85  to 90.7 %  in various organs such as liver, kidney, spleen, heart & blood in various concentration  in Mice
Fatigue, Body Aches, Loss of Appetite from cold: Single Clove Arya Garlic juice can be wisely said as "Wake up the dead juice if you feel that you have a lot of fatigue, loss of appetite, and body aches as a result from a cold. It would be those types of colds that just basically gave you those symptoms. It would have none or very little fever, coughs, stuffiness and sneezing. Nothing works better.
·         There are a few ways to make this.
·         You can either boil some water and add sliced onions to it. Or
·         Boil water and add chopped garlic to it. or
·         Mix both onion and garlic to the hot water. I leave the chunks inside. You can remove them if you
·         Drink that water as hot as you can take it.
·         Another way to do is by mixing about 2 cups of cold water and 1 chopped onion and/or 4 cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic in a blender. They can either be either consumed hot or cold. But drinking it hot is better. It is extremely important that you drink this as soon as you get up on an empty stomach. One cup is fine and 2 are better. The more onions and garlic you put in it the better it is. It tastes very disgusting but it will give you one hell of a boost. It will last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. Then you have to drink it again. You should only drink it twice a day."
Yes...  One clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic, heat not too hot, crush garlic wrap in a cotton ball then insert in ear. Not both ears. In no time you'll feel better."
Gas & Constipation:  Take one Clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic after dinner; it will keep you free from gas and constipation."
Heart Problems: As diluting agent for blood, regular eating of garlic and also having milk with garlic boiled in it controls assimilation of cholesterol.
Chewing 4 or 5 cloves of garlic given at the time of heart attack prevent heart failure, till medical aid is procured.
Heartburn: Try combining 8 oz. of apple juice, and 2 cloves of Single Clove Arya Garlic in a blender set on liquefy, will relieve from heartburn.
Herpes:  "crushed garlic (it burns) on an outbreak works! You won't believe the results and how fast the ulcer heals."
Sexual disorders: Single Clove Arya Garlic is said to be a tonic for impotence. According to Ayurveda scriptures written thousands of years ago, have mentioned Garlic as “Tasmic” (promoting sexual desire) it also treats sexual debility caused by over indulgence in sex and nervous exhaustion from dissipating habit. It is said to be especially useful in older men.
Weight Loss:  Single Clove Arya Garlic is known for its help in burning fat and promotes weight loss.
SUMMARY
Garlic is a gastric stimulant & helps with digestion.
 It acts as an anti flatulent, carminative and diaphoretic.
 It stimulates the kidneys and is diuretic in nature.
 It is a tonic, giving strength & vitality
 it is an expectorant having a special effect on the bronchial and pulmonary secretions
 it is beneficial for eyes & brain.
 It helps to heal fractured bones (when mixed with comfrey poultices)
 It is a great antiseptic.
 It has Allicin, which has the property to destroy germs which are not killed by penicillin. As such, it is a very powerful germicidal.
 It rehabilitates sexual malfunctions.
 It improves functional activity of heavy smokers.

 One Single clove of Single Clove Arya Garlic (when eaten on regular basis) can increase body activity to dissolve blood clots, thereby preventing heart attacks and strokes.
A couple of raw garlic cloves daily can bring blood cholesterol levels down in heart patients.


Single Clove Arya Garlic constituents:-
Allicin: Responsible for Garlic’s odour, it contributes to the plants' effectiveness as an antibacterial agent. Allicin also have anti-inflammatory abilities, which makes it useful for many auto-immune diseases. Allicin is activated only when the cloves are cut or crushed (it eventually becomes diallyl disulfide oxide, in a series of natural reactions). However, it is best not to crush Garlic.
All thiamine: formed when vitamin B1, or thiamine, in Garlic reacts with alliin. Vitamin B1 naturally contains sulphur.
Biotin: another B vitamin found in Garlic which also contains sulphur. Vitamin B1 and biotin both nourish the nervous system and brain. This happens partly because the sulphur they contain can force lecithin (needed for brain chemistry) into the brain and nervous system. They also help prevent cholesterol from depositing in the arteries.
Essential oil: Lowers cholesterol and lipid (fat) levels in the blood. It has an extremely strong, long-lasting odour, which is not necessarily a bad thing because the odour also heals the body.
Germanium: A trace mineral with a number of positive attributes, one being that it is a powerful antioxidant.
Gurwitch rays: Emitted by Garlic, these are an unusual type of ultraviolet radiation called Mitogenic Radiation. The rays have stimulating growth capabilities and can rejuvenate the whole body.

More info on Minerals contained in Single Clove Arya Garlic coming soon....

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Pineapple Cultivation

Pineapple Cultivation

The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most popular tropical fruits. The origin of the pineapple is the American continent, probably Brazil and Paraguay. It has spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions as a commercial fruit crop. The important pineapple going countries of the world are the Hawaiian Islands, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Puerto Rico and India. The juice has worldwide market. The fruit and juice have good industrial demand also. The fruit is a good source of vitamine A and B and rich in vitamine C and calcium. It also contains phosphorus and iron.
Indian Scenario
The major pineapple producing states in India are Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala and Bihar. During 2001-02, India produced 1.26 million tonnes of pineapple from about 80000 ha. The statewise area production and productivity during 2000-01 are presented below.

STATE-WISE AREA, PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF PINEAPPLE

States
Area ('000 ha)
Production ('000 t)
Productivity (t/ha)
Arunachal Pradesh
7.30
32.00
4.40
Assam
14.00
216.10
15.40
Bihar
4.00
100.50
25.10
Kerala
9.50
68.30
7.20
Manipur
10.00
69.90
7.00
Meghalaya
9.20
81.70
8.90
Nagaland
2.90
82.90
28.60
West Bengal
10.40
279.50
26.90
Others
10.90
290.20
-
TOTAL
78.20
1221.10
15.60
India produces more than 8% of total world production of pineapple.

Soil
Slightly acidic soil with pH range of 5.5 to 6.0 is considered optimum for pineapple cultivation. The soil should be well drained and light in texture. Heavy clay soil is not suitable. It can grow in sandy, alluvial or laterite soil.
Climate
Areas with a heavy rainfall are best for pineapple growth. Optimum rainfall is 1500mm per year although it can grow in areas having 500mm to 5550mm of rainfall. The fruit grows well near the seacoast as well as in inland, so long as temperature ranges from 15.5 to 32.50 C. Low temperature, bright sunshine and total shade are harmfull. It can grow successfully upto 1525m above sea level.

Varieties
The most popular commercial pineapple variety in India is Giant Kew. Other important verities are Queen, Kew, Mauritius, Charlotte, Rothchild, Jaldhup, Desi, Lakhat, etc. Qualitatively, Queen is the outstanding table variety .
Planting Material
Pineapple can be propagated by sucker, slip and crown. Growth is best with suckers and slips. Plants from crown bear flowers after 3 to 20 months later than suckers and slips depending on the climatic conditions. Therefore, crowns are not normally used. Suckers should be planted within 2 weeks after removing from the mother plant. The planting material should be selected from healthy diseased free plant.
       

Production Technology
Land Preparation
The lands should be thoroughly ploughed and pulverised to a good tilth. It should be properly levelled to avoid water stagnation. Adequate drainage channels should be provided.

Plant Density
In high rainfall areas the density may be around 40000 to 44000 plants per ha . In low rainfall areas with cool weather like that of Karnataka, even higher density of 63000 to 64000/ha is recommended.
Pineapple is planted in double hedge system for convenient intercultural operations. For a density of 44000 plants per ha , the spacing should be 90cm x 30cm x 60cm i.e. 90cm between two rows of adjacent beds, 30cm between plants in a row and 60cm between two single rows. High density planting is the latest advanced technology applied in pineapple cultivation. The other spacing follows are 120cm x 60cm x 40cm (41600 plants/ha.), 75cm x 30cm x 30cm (63000 plants/ha), 60cm x 30cm x 45cm (64000 plants/ha).
In order to obtain a good yield from high density planting, application of fertilizers and treatment with flower-inducing chemicals are considered very important.

Treatment of Planting Material
Before planting, the suckers and slips should be sun curedand dry leaf scales at the base should be removed. Planting material should be dipped in ceresan solution (4g in 1 lit. of water) or 0.2% Dithane M-45 before planting to protect the plants against bud rot.
Planting
The best time of planting pineapple is early rains or early winter. With irrigation it may be any time of the year. Suckers should be planted at 10 - 15cm depth in 15-20cm deep hole. About 500g FYM or cow dung is to be added to the soil of each hole. Planting may be done in single or double row following triangular or rectangular system. Pineapple may be planted using black polythene film as soil cover. This ensures total weed control and heavy crop. But fertilizers may be applied by spraying or drip method. Initial investment will be high but drip method is cost effective.
Irrigation
Pineapple is mostly grown as a rainfed crop, but supplementary irrigation give higher production. Irrigation in summer and winter keeps the plants healthier. About 8 to 12 light irrigations during winter and summer months are beneficial. Irrigation is essential after planting or after manuring if there is deficiency in soil moisture.
Manures and fertilizer’s
Pineapple requires abundant supply of Nitrogen and Potash. Manuring should be done in 2 - 3 equal doses every year, once at the onset of monsoon (May-June) and again at the end of the rainy season (September-October) after the fruit are harvested and slips and suckers are removed. The fertilisers doses recommended for obtaining higher yield are 10g N, 5g P2O5 and 10g K2O per plant per year in addition to 500g FYM. Fertilisation is followed by earthing up around the stem.
Interculture
Controlling weed is the major interculture operation in pineapple field. Weeding should be done at least 3 to 4 times a year. Manual weeding can be partially eliminated by chemical weedicides like Bromacil @ 3kg and Diuron @ 2kg per ha. Application is done a few days after hand weeding .Before the new weeds emerge, a second spraying @ 1.5kg per ha after 15 days is necessary.
To protect the fruit from from subburn, partial shade may be provided by planting arhar in between the beds. The spacing has to be adjusted accordingly. Covering the maturing fruits with rice straw or pineapple leaves will reduce both sunburn and bird damage.
After care of the ratoon crop
Desuckering immediately after fruit harvest is important. Keeping one or two suckers on the mother plant near the ground level, all others are removed. Slips also should be removed. After desuckering, plants should be fertilised and earthed up.
Flowering
Ripeness-to-flower stage is attained 11-12 months after planting and formation of at least 40 leaves. Normally 70 to 80% of plants flower in a year. Sometimes flower does not appear on time. Even after 15-18 months of growth under optimal nutritional and environmental conditions, as low as only 50 to 60% plants may come to flowering. In such cases application of flower inducing chemicals is helpful. Yield may be increased by applying flower inducing chemicals. A pineapple plant produces only one fruit during its life time.
Crop regulation
Unsaturated gases like ethylene and acetylene in the form of smoke cause early flowering in pineapple. This can be achieved by applying acetylene saturated water or calcium carbide in the heart of the plant. About 50ml ethrel solution 10 ppm conc. in combination with 2% urea and 0.04% sodium carbonate can bring forth flowering. NAA@25 ppm also induces flowering.
To delay harvest by a few days (10 - 15 days), 300 ppm Planofix may be sprayed on the fruit just 60 to 70 days ahead of harvest. To ripen the fruit earlier by about 10 - 15 days, 500 ppm of ethrel may be sprayed on the fruit about one month before normal harvest. Staggering of harvesting almost throughout the year is possible by the following means using different planting materials. planting suckers and slips at regular intervals from July-December and applying flower inducing chemicals at desired time as stated above.
Crop cycle
One main crop followed by two ratoons is the usual crop cycle in pineapple. After the forth year the plot needs to be uprooted and replanted.
Plant protection
No serious pest or disease of pineapple is prevalent in India. However, Mealy bug and Heart rot are important pest and disease respectively.
Mealy bug : They can be controlled by dipping the basal portion of the planting material in 0.02 to 0.05 % methyl parathion as a prophylactic measure. Application of carbofuran @ 15 to 17kg per ha in affected plantation can effectively control the pest.
Heart rot : Application of Bordeaux mixture (4:4:50) or copper oxychloride @2g per litre. Sucker should be dipped in fungicide before planting.
Harvesting
The fruit is ready for harvest when the dark green colour becomes lighter and the deep seated eyes become shallow. Harvesting for local markets should be done at full maturity stage and for distance markets at 75-80% maturity stage. Harvesting should be done with a sharp knife severing the fruit stalk with a clean cut and retaining 5-7 cm of the stalk. Slips and a part of the crown are removed. Any mechanical injury on the fruit skin may cause the fruit to rot quickly. Hence, great care is necessary in handling the fruit. Spray of parachlorophenoxyacetic acid 10 days before harvest reduces physiological breakdown during transport and storage. Deeping the cut end in 10% solution of benzoic acid in alcohol checks the fungal attack
Fruits are mainly harvested during July-August. However, a small crop is harvested during December to March also. By regulating the crop, harvesting is possible almost 8 month a year.
Pineapple fruits should be allowed to grow on the plant as late as possible for development of good flavour and colour on ripening. If harvested early, they may develop woody pulp on ripening.
For canning industry, only the cycindrical fruits of about 1.5kg size are considered good. Such fruits are obtained when peduncles are upright and plant density is around 40000 per ha.
Post harvest management
Preharvest application of ethephon (500 - 2000 ppm) at the starting is stated to improve the fruit quality, but it is less effective in hot weather.
Pineapples are sensitive to injuries due to compression or impact. Rotting starts and spread quickly from bruised or injured parts. The produce should be cooled as soon as possible after harvest. Cooling temperature is 7-100C for ripe and half-ripe ones. The relative humidity will be 85-95 per cent. The same temperature and RH are kept in storage and transport. Cooling is done by forced air method. Storage period of pineapple is 2-4 weeks depending on the cultivar and ripening stage.
The fruits are sorted and fungicidal treatment is given. They are packed in full telescoping perforated CFB cartoons.
Marketing and export
There is always a very good demand of pineapple in the internal markets. It is in high demand from the processing industry as well.
Indian pineapple is exported to Nepal, U.K., Spain and U.A.E. The main products of export are canned slices, titbits, juice and jam. Of the four main commercial cultivars grown in this country, Kew and Giant Kew are better suited for canning, while Queen and Mauritius cultivars are good for juice production.
Yield
The yield from a plant population of 35000 - 40000 per ha is about 40-50 tones and that from a plant population of 43000-50000 per ha normally varies from 50 to 60 tonnes. Yield of 60-70 t/ha is possible with still higher population of about 63000 per ha.
In this model scheme, with a plant population of 44000 per ha (spacing 90cm x 30cm x 60cm), the average harvest assumed is 70%, 65% and 55% in the first crop, the first ratoon and the second respectively. Average yield in second, third and fourth year is expected to be 30800, 28600 and 24200 fruits weighing 50-55 t, 48 - 53 t and 40 - 45 t per ha respectively.
Economic life
Economic life of a pineapple plantation is expected to be around 4 years. After this the plot should be uprooted and replanted.
Unit cost
In the present model, the unit cost for the development of pineapple in 1 ha of land works out to be Rs.98600/-. About 30% of the 2nd year cost will be incurred in post-harvest maintenance. Hence, 70% of the 2nd year cost, approx. Rs.25700.00, has been capitalised (upto the 1st harvest) for working out the unit cost. Balance 30%, approx. Rs.11000.00, will be the maintenance cost during the post-harvest period of the 2nd year. This may be modified to suit the local conditions taking into account the different techno-economic parameters prevailing in the locality. The details are presented in an Annexure I.
Margin money :
As per NABARD norms, the margin money for different farmers is as follows :
Marginal farmers : 5%,
Small farmers : 10%
Big farmers : 15%
However, in the present model, 15% of the unit cost (i.e. Rs.14790.00) has been considered as margin money
Bank loan
Bank loan may be considered as 85% of the unit cost, i.e. Rs.83810.00.
Interest rates for ultimate borrowers
Banks are free to decide the rate of interest within the overall RBI guidelines. However, for working out the financial viability and bankability of the model scheme, we have assume the rate of interest as 12% p.a.
Interest rate for refinance from NABARD
As per circulars issued from time to time.
Security
Banks may take decision as per RBI guidelines.
Financial analysis
Financial analysis in the model scheme has been worked out assuming the income from the fruits only. The results are shown below :
NPW at 15% DF : Rs. 123295
BCR                     : 1.92 : 1.00
IRR                      : > 50%
The details are furnished in Annexure II.
Any income from suckers will be additional benefit to the farmer.
Repayment scheduled
The bank loan along with the interest can be repaid within 3 years including the initial 1 year of grace period. The details are furnished in Annexure III.
Conclusion
Plantation of pineapple in commercial scale is technically feasible and economically viable in India . Banks may like to extend financial assistance for the development of pineapple plantation in the country.

Annexure I
COST OF DEVELOPMENT OF PINEAPPLE
Unit Size : 1.0 ha
(Figs. in Rs.)
Sr. No.
Item
Year
1
2
3
4
I
MATERIALS




1
Planting materials (10% extra) @ Re.0.50/sucker
24,200
--
--
--
2
FYM
6,600
6,600
6,600
6,600
3
Fertilizers
12,100
12,100
12,100
12,100
4
Irrigation
1,600
1,600
1,800
1,800
5
Plant protection chemicals, growth regulators & micronutrients
600
700
800
800
6
Sprayer
2,000
--
--
--
7
Workable fencing
2,000
--
--
--

Sub - total I
49,100
21,000
21,300
21,300
II
LABOUR : @Rs.60/- per manday




1
Land preparation, digging trenches, fixing slabs etc. (125 md)
7,500
--
--
--
2
Preparing suckers and planting
(115 md)
6,900
--
--
--
3
Application of manures & fertilizers (60 md)
3,600
3,600
3,600
3,600
4
Spraying of pesticides, micro-nutrients growth regulators, etc. (12 md)
720
900
900
900
5
Interculture :
        (Weeding 10md x 4 times = 40 md
         Fruit shading 5 md
         Earthing up 20 md)
3,900
3,900
3,900
3,900
6
Irrigation (20md)
1,200
1,200
1,200
1,200
7
Harvesting @ 400 fruits / md
--
4,920
4,260
3,600

Sub - total II
23,820
14,520
13,860
13,200

GRAND TOTAL
72,920
36,720
35,160
34,500

Rounded off to
72,900
36,700
35,160
34,500

Unit Cost : Rs.98600.00 (upto the 1st harvest in the second year. 1st year cost + 70% of the 2nd year cost)
Margin Money (15%) : Rs.14790.00
Bank Loan ( 85% ) : Rs.83810.00
I. TECHNICAL PARAMETERS :
1.      Varieties : Giant Kew, Queen, etc.
2.      Spacing : 90cm x 30cm x 60cm(Hedge to hedge : 90cm Plant to plant : 30cm and Row to row : 60cm)
3.      Plant population: 44000/ha
4.      FYM 500g/plant/year
5.      Fertilizers : (g/plant/year)N-10, P2O-55, K2O-10
II
FINANCIAL PARAMETERS
Rs.
1
Planting material (per sucker)
0.50
2
Wage rate (per manday)
60.00
3
FYM (per tonne)
300.00
4
Fertilizer cost per kg


N     
10.50

P2O5
19.00

K2O
7.50
5
Sale price per fruit
 4.00
6
Maintenance Cost :
Year 2           
Year 3

35160.00
34500.00

YIELD AND INCOME (per ha) :
Item
Year
1
2
3
4
YIELD




No. of fruits
--
30,800
28,600
24,200
INCOME




Gross income (Rs.)
(from fruits)
--
123,200
114,400
96,800
Cost (Rs.)
72,900
36,700
35,160
34,500
Net Income (Rs.)
-72,900
86,500
79,240
62,300

Annexure - II
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF PINEAPPLE CULTIVATION
YEAR
1
2
3
4
COST
72900
36700
35160
34500
BENEFIT

123200
114400
96800
NET BENEFIT
-72900
86500
79240
62300
NPV of Cost
133986



NPV of Benefit
257281



NPW at 15% DF
123295



BCR
1.92 : 1.00



IRR
>50%




Annexure III
REPAYMENT SCHEDULE OF PINEAPPLE SCHEME
(Fig. in Rs.)
Repayment within 3 years with 1 year grace period.( FINANCIAL ANALYSIS IS FOR INDIA )