Garlic is one of the highly demandable spices in India, mainly due to its medicinal and culinary use. Moreover, garlic farming in India has gained popularity over the years, with constant demand from domestic and international markets. It is mostly cultivated in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Let’s learn more about garlic farming in India and its market value in demand.
Climatic Requirements
The climate required for growth is cool and dry. The ideal temperature for cultivating the crop would lie between 12°C and 24°C. Loamy soil is rich in organic matter and well-drained, which is ideal for crop production through garlic farming. The pH level should be between 6 and 7 to get a good crop yield.
Land Preparation
The land for garlic farming has to be prepared by deep ploughing to loosen it, followed by harrowing to break up the clods. The land needs to be levelled well so that the water does not stagnate at the bottom. Modern farming machinery like the Hav Tractor has made things relatively easier in this sense, as it assists in preparing the soil efficiently.
Planting and Irrigation
Garlic is grown by cloves, and the spacing must be taken care of for good growth of plants. Plant the cloves at 2-3 cm depth with a spacing of 10-12 cm between cloves and 15-20 cm between rows. Irrigation The crop is sensitive to moisture levels, and hence irrigation is a very important factor to be considered in garlic farming. The frequency of watering should be regular, especially during bulb formation. Tractors, such as the John Deere E Series for irrigation management, ensure that irrigation systems work more smoothly and efficiently.
Fertilization
Proper fertilization is also required for the healthy growth of garlic. Organic fertilizer applications, such as farmyard manure applied during land preparation, should be recommended. Apart from organic fertilizers, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are primary nutrients that should be applied during different stages of growth. Tractors like Mahindra XP Plus help farmers apply proper fertilizer and do other farming work that increases the yield.
Harvest and Yield
Garlic matures when leaves start to yellow and dry. This normally occurs 5 to 6 months after the planting date. Harvesting should be extremely careful to avoid damaging the bulbs.
Conclusion
Garlic farming is an agriculture business in India that assures farmers good profits. Using modern farm equipment, farmers can enhance their efficiency and produce high yields.