Pineapple based organic farming system: Success story from farmer’s field in Meghalaya скачать в хорошем качестве

Pineapple based organic farming system: Success story from farmer’s field in Meghalaya

Pineapple is one of the commercially grown fruit crops of NE region. The fruit in addition to being eaten fresh can also be canned and processed in different forms. With the progress already made and the potentials of the region already demonstrated as a result of adopting modern technological approaches viz. staggering technique, high density planting (HDP), and organic cultivation and certification pineapple yield and quality are better and cultivation of pineapple in the region has good potential. The region produces more than 40% of the total pineapple of the country and 90 to 95% of the produce is organic. The common cultivars grown are Giant Kew and Queen. Pineapples produced from this region are qualitatively different and are said to be among the best in the world as they are very sweet (high TSS) and have less fiber. In the context of tremendous national and global market demand for organic pineapples as well as low volume of such products, this area of India is an ideal area to explore for pineapple cultivation. Farmers of Meghalaya commonly grow pineapple along the slope of hill without proper nutrient management practices. The traditional method of pineapple cultivation consists of planting suckers in lines running up and down the steep hill slopes. Such 'down the slope' line planting on the delicate hill slopes results in serious soil erosion. The contour planting technique across the slopes along with scientific organic management practices enabled the farmer to plant about 20% more per acre compared to the traditional cultivation method. Fruit harvest from the contour-planted demonstration plots is also higher than in the traditional cultivation method. The fruit size was bigger in the contour cultivation plot due to better nutrition and lesser soil as well as nutrient loss. There are more off-season fruiting in the contour plots compared to traditional gardens and that enhanced farmer income. Soil erosion in the contour gardens has been markedly reduced. Such reduction in soil loss benefits the farmer as he has better soil nutrient status, needs less fertilizer, and plants are healthier and yield bigger fruit. Though green gram fix atmospheric nitrogen, an application of 15 to 20 kg nitrogen per hectares as starter dose at sowing, depending upon the initial fertility of the so il appeared to be optimum for the crop. In the wider space between the double rows of pineapple, one can grow green gram or soybean etc. along the contour and across the soil. Green gram if intercropped with pine apple not only give some additional income to the farmers but also enrich the soil fertility in long term and increases the pineapple productivity and income. Application of vermiwash and cow urine (1 litre each) with 10 litre of water can manage the insect pests and diseases in this model at 10-15 days interval. The model (average 1 acre) comprises of different enterprises such as pineapple, pulse (green gram, pea, lentil), oilseeds (soybean), fruits (Assam lemon, mango, banana), vermicomposting unit and a water harvesting unit (farm pond). The farm pond of 20m × 20m × 1.5 m dimension (600000 L capacity) is an important component of the model for life saving irrigation and aquaculture. Pineapple suckers about 3000 nos. and in middle some fruit plants like Assam lemon, mango, banana also planted. In between 2 rows of pineapple intercropping of different crops viz., green gram, pea, lentil, soybean are growing. To meet the nutrient requirement of the crops, one vermicomposting unit was installed.