In Tamil Nadu, the Salem district established in the year 1790 and it has got 20 blocks with maximum temperature of 32oC and 19.6oC minimum, with humidity ranging from 39 to 85%. In Salem, during South West monsoon, a rainfall of 545 mm and during North East monsoon 564.2 mm was recorded. Area under vegetable crops is more than 15250 ha and area under different green leafy vegetables is around 750 ha in Salem District. Area under Moringa cultivation in Salem district is around 50 ha in which one tenth of the area is under leaf production of moringa. The farmers growing moringa in Salem district especially in Veerapandi block are only small and marginal farmers and are getting only lower net profit (in spite of better yield) because of the involvement of middleman in the supply chain of moringa as vegetable to the consumers. To overcome this problem, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Salem, intervened with demonstrations on semi intensive production techniques like high density planting systems with a spacing of 1.2 x 1.2m for leaf production in moringa PKM 1 variety and conducted many trainings on production techniques of moringa for leaves. The semi intensive system of moringa leaf production is more appropriate for small farmers of Veerapandi block of Salem district and it yields more (about 15t/acre) with lesser maintenance cost when compared to the cultivation of moringa for the purpose of pods. Lesser maintenance cost is due to the need of lesser number of irrigation, less labour for intercultural operations, less cost on manures and fertilizers (application of more of nitrogenous fertilizers only as its cultivation is only for leaf and not for the purpose of pod) and lesser cost on transport from the field to the market. The only disadvantage in moringa leaf production is shedding of leaves (shedding of leaflets from the compound leaf of moringa which has no market value) which will go as waste, if it has not been marketed on time.
Hence, demonstrations and trainings conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra imparted moringa growers’ knowledge on cultivation techniques of moringa for leaf which enhances the farmer’s income and net profit.
PKM 1, Moringa Cultivation, Leaf Production, Demonstrations, Trainings, Salem District
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