Farmers of the country are emphasizing on horticulture along with traditional farming to increase their earnings. If you also do farming and want to do something new to increase your income, then you can cultivate Moringa. Money is earned from the cultivation of this tree because everything including its leaves, seeds and stem is sold. It can be easily cultivated with other crops also.
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Moringa – A Super Food
Moringa, which is also known as Drumstick is often referred as a super food because many nutrients are found in it. Macronutrients like beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron are found in it. Due to its ability to prevent more than 300 diseases, it is also known as ‘Miracle Tree’. Due to the increasing demand for drumstick and its medicinal properties, it is being cultivated on a large scale by farmers.
Moringa Varieties
According to ICAR, drumstick crop is available only once in a year and that too for a few months. Its varieties which give crops twice a year include Rohit 1, Dhanraj, KM 1, PKM 2 and PKM-1, Odissi and Bhagya.
Moringa Cultivation Method
Moringa (Drumstick) can be cultivated in almost all types of soil but black soil, laterite soil, sandy and Balut loam soil whose pH is low. Soil with 6.5 to 8.0 and proper drainage is considered better. Drumstick plants are prepared by seed and cutting method. To plant a tree in one hectare, 500-600 grams of seeds are required. These seeds are soaked in water for 10-12 hours which increases adequate germination. It is necessary to do mid-treatment before sowing.
At the time of planting drumstick, 500 grams of rotten cow dung manure and 250 grams of neem cake should be given per plant. After planting for about 75 days, when flowers start appearing, 44 grams of nitrogen should be given per plant.
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Plant Protection
In drumstick, insects called Bhuja Pillu eat the leaves and spread rapidly to the surrounding trees also. To control this insect, in its nascent stage the insect can be controlled by dissolving cloth washing powder and pouring it on it.
To prevent the disease called root rot in drumstick, plants should be planted on high ridges and unnecessary material should be removed. In this, the attack of white caterpillar occurs at the seedling stage and due to eating the roots, the plant dies. To prevent this, use light traps and chlorpyrifos.
Earnings will be in Lakhs
Drumstick gives a yield of 20-30 kg per tree in the first 3-4 years and 40-50 kg per tree later. If farmers plant drumstick at a distance of 3×3 meters, they can get a yield of at least 20-25 tonnes per hectare per year. From which he can earn INR 1 lakh to 1.50 lakh.