Date:15/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091559210600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Amla-based cropping system successful in Tirunelveli

Staff Reporter

GOOD RETURNS: Marigold cultivation at a farm in Thidiyur near Palayamkottai.

TIRUNELVELI: Amla intercropped with fruits like acid lime, flowers like marigold and vegetables like ashgourd, watermelon and bhendi has been found more beneficial to farmers, according to T.V. Katchi Jamal, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Tirunelveli.

The long gestation period in fruit tree cultivation is the biggest hurdle for the poor farmers, who hesitate to take up plantation of fruit crops on a large scale as they cannot get immediate revenue.

Amla being a deep-rooted crop, deciduous tree with sparse foliage, has been found to be an ideal plant for two or three-tier cropping system, says Mr. Jamal.

Various demonstrations conducted by S. Raja Mohamed, Horticultural Officer, Palayamkottai has revealed that amla-based cropping system models such as amla with acid lime using fertigation techniques at Ramaiyanpati, amla with marigold at Kammaalankulam and Thidiyoor and amla with bhendi at Vaeppankulam have been found successful.

In salty or marginal soils, intercropping of daincha for a few years is beneficial for improving the physico-chemical properties of the soil.

Since marigold can be grown throughout the year and water stagnation should be avoided, it is recommended for intercropping in amla orchards which require minimum water. Irrigation once in a week is enough. Marigold starts yielding from the 60th day after planting, giving 4 tonnes per acre in about 130 to 150 days, he added.

In case of bhendi as intercrop, the farmer will get a minimum of Rs. 40,000 per hectare from the 90th day onwards. Likewise, 715 acid lime trees intercropped with 800 amla trees have given an encouraging yield of 84 kg fruits per tree and 60 tonnes of fruits per year from the 10th year onwards and the farmer could get an average income of Rs. 800 to Rs. 850 per tree under fertigation techniques, he added.

50 per cent subsidy

Under National Horticulture Mission Scheme to promote the cultivation of loose flowers like rose, jasmine, marigold, tuberose, etc., small and marginal farmers can avail 50 per cent subsidy up to 2 hectares at the rate of Rs. 12,000 per hectare.

For big farmers, subsidy is restricted to 33 per cent and up to 4 hectares at the rate of Rs. 7,920 per hectare.

Interested farmers can approach the office of the Assistant Director of Horticulture, Palayamkottai, said Mr. Raja Mohamed.