AGRICULTURE

Date Palm Cultivation: Annual income of ₹25 lakh! This farming is changing the fortunes of farmers

Date Palm Cultivation: In the past, farming in the desert was very challenging, and the sole source of income for the local farmers was Kharif rainfed crops. But at the present moment the farmers of Jaisalmer are establishing new dimensions by adopting the latest agro technology.

Date palm cultivation
Date palm cultivation

Even in 50 degree temperatures, Farming is possible

Farmers nowadays are consistently making a profit by using innovative date palm farming techniques. Date palms may be readily grown in temperatures as low as 50 degrees or as high as one degree. It may be grown on arid soil with poor water quality.

Date Palm Characteristics

  • One crop that has the potential to provide more profits in dry regions is date palm.
  • It is regarded as the greatest source of rapid energy because of its high carbohydrate content.
  • Important and necessary phytochemicals are abundant in date palm.
  • It also has a high tolerance for drought and salt.
  • While Medjool and Khadravi are better for drying and processing, the early types, such as Halavi, Barhi, and Khuneji, are preferable for eating fresh fruits.

Date farming was started

A garden of 1500 Khuneji, Barhi, and Khalas enhanced varieties was established in Lohta village near Pokhran in 2012 by two Gujarati farmers, Anil Santani and Dilip Goyal, who were influenced by date farming. At first, 1300 date palm plants produced 30–40 kg of output per plant.

Took instruction from this source

In 2018, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Pokhran reached out to the farmers. They learned about the production of dates, their processing, and value addition by taking part in the trainings and other extension activities that the center arranged.

Management of farming

By maintaining an 8-meter gap between trees and rows, 156 trees may be planted per hectare in a date palm garden.

A drip watering system, artificial pollination, the occasional removal of old leaves and suckers, the thinning of certain fruits, and the bagging of fruit bunches are all crucial for the effective development of date palms.

Adding value via processing

On the recommendation of agricultural experts, farmers embraced date palm innovation, preparing balls via processing and value addition and beginning to sell them after grading and packing, rather than selling dates in their doka condition.

Making as much as Rs 25 lakh a year

The yearly income of the farmer grew from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 23 lakh. Aside from this, they sell saplings for Rs 1,500 a year, which brings in an additional Rs 3 to 4 lakh.

Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Q1. Is it feasible to cultivate in places like deserts?

Ans: farming is now effectively carried out even in arid regions like Jaisalmer because of sophisticated agri-technology.

Q2. What kind of crop can be cultivated at 50 degrees?

Ans: Dates are a crop that can be produced in both high heat (50 degrees) or cold (1 degree).

Q3. What is the maximum yield that a date palm plant may produce?

Ans: The yield per plant might range from 30 to 40 kilograms.

Q4. What are the cultivation specializations of date palms?

Ans: It can withstand drought and salt and is a great source of energy.

Q5. How is the cultivation of date palms managed?

Ans: The answer is that 156 plants can be planted per hectare, with a distance of 8 meters between trees.

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