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 )