Pomegranate Cultivation in India

Pomegranate Cultivation in India: How to Grow and Make Money?

For Indian agriculturists, pomegranate, being a fruit possessing nutritional and medical properties, is a lucrative commodity. With proper cultivation techniques employed, pomegranate farming can be very lucrative. Extensive knowledge on soil preparation, correct planting methodologies, irrigation schemes, fertiliser treatment, and other vital components are required to ensure the effective cultivation of pomegranate. This blog explains the steps involved in cultivating pomegranates, the agroclimatic requirements required, and how Indian farmers can How to Grow Pomegranate Profitably in India.

Overview of Indian Pomegranate Cultivation

Pomegranates originated in Iran but flourish in India's semi-arid and arid areas due to their tolerance for heat, dryness, and moisture deficiency.

Nutrient-rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the fruit possesses high nutritional value. Pomegranates are also prized for their medicinal properties and are used in the leather industry and dyeing industries.

India is the world's seventh-largest producer of pomegranates with a projected 3 million metric tonnes being produced in 2021–2022. From 2.75 lakh hectares of land that is presently being used to produce crops, by 2025 it is estimated to increase to 7.5 lakh hectares. With over 50% of the country's overall pomegranate yield, Maharashtra leads the production list, followed by Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. India is the only country in the world with the capability to cultivate pomegranates throughout the year, from January to December, which provides it with a clear edge.

India's Pomegranate Planting Season

The multiplication of pomegranate trees marks the start of the Pomegranate Planting Season in India. During the rainy season or in November and December, air-layering is one way to achieve this. The following are the best periods to plant pomegranates:

February through March are subtropical months; July through August are tropical months.In India, pomegranate trees typically bloom three times a year, contingent on patterns of rainfall: 

1. Ambe Bahar: January–February 
2. Hasta Bahar: September–October 
3. Mrig Bahar: June–July

The reasons for the increase in the cultivation of pomegranate in India
 
Pomegranate Cultivation in India has risen sharply over the last decade for several reasons:

• Low Maintenance and High Yield: Pomegranate is a low-maintenance but high-yielding crop with better storage quality. It is thus a profitable crop to cultivate for farmers, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Increased International Demand: Pomegranate demand has been increasing internationally, which has offered Indian farmers good export opportunities.
• Health Benefits: Health consciousness regarding pomegranates has been on the rise, and hence, domestic demand has been augmented.
• Climate Change and Crop Diversification: Other high-value crop yields, i.e., apple, have been declining due to climate change and water scarcity, so farmers have been diversifying with other crops like pomegranate.

Agro-Climatic Requirements for Pomegranate Cultivation

Pomegranates grow well in semi-arid conditions, where they tolerate dry conditions and hot temperatures. The following is the optimum condition for pomegranate cultivation:

Soil: Pomegranate can be grown in different soils, such as sandy soil, loamy soil, and alluvial soil. Soil pH would ideally range from 6.5 to 7.0, but the crop tolerates up to pH 8.5 of soils.

• Climate: Pomegranates like semi-arid climates with warm summers and cold winters. The ideal temperature for pomegranate cultivation is 11°C to 44°C.
• Rainfall: Pomegranates need 500 to 1000 mm of rainfall annually. Pomegranates are extremely drought-resistant and can tolerate long periods of low rainfall, especially if irrigation facilities are present.

Steps for Successful Pomegranate Cultivation in India

1. Land Preparation:

Land preparation is the initial step in pomegranate cultivation. The land is to be ploughed and harrowed several times to loosen the soil and destroy weeds. The soil is to be leveled so that water is distributed evenly. Good root establishment and healthy growth of the plant are ensured by proper land preparation.

2. Planting of Pomegranate Saplings:

Saplings with good quality must be bought. One should only buy certified pomegranate saplings from quality nurseries. Pomegranate plants propagated using stem cuttings or air-layering become prone to disease after 5–10 months.

Top Method of Propagation: It is recommended strongly because of high success and it generates disease-free saplings.

• Planting and Spacing: A rectangular or square planting system is preferable. The pits should be 1m x 1m x 1m in dimensions, prepared a month prior to planting. The pit should be filled with topsoil, 20 kg FYM (farmyard manure), and 1 kg super phosphate. Spacing between trees depends on variety and location:
• Bhagwa Variety: 4m x 3m
• Jalore and Ganesh Variety: 5m x 2.5m or 5m x 4m
• High-Density Planting: Spacing of 2.5m x 4.5m can produce 2–2.5 times as much as normal spacing.

3. Nutrition Management:

Proper nutrient management is required by pomegranates, particularly in poor soils. Optimum fertilizer doses for various age groups of the tree are as follows:

• 1–3 Year Tree: 600–700 g Nitrogen, 200–250 g Phosphorus, 200–250 g Potassium
• 5 Year Tree: 10 kg FYM, 75 g Ammonium Sulphate
• Flowering Stage: 50 kg FYM, 3.5 kg oil cake, and 1 kg Sulphate of Ammonia Micronutrient sprays must be applied at three intervals during crop growth.

4. Irrigation:

Pomegranates necessitate effective management of water. In dry lands, the check basin system of irrigation is applied. For the cultivation of pomegranate, it is important to condition irrigation according to the growth periods of the crop:

• Mrig Bahar Crop: Initial irrigation during mid-May and later irrigation up to the monsoon.
• Summer Crop: Irrigation weekly.
• Winter Crop: Irrigation fortnightly.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient system, increasing yields by 30–35% with an average annual irrigation of 20 cm.

5. Canopy Management:

Pruning and training are required for the normal growth of the pomegranate tree. A multi-stem system is more practiced in India because it minimizes the vulnerability to pests. Pruning must be practiced to eliminate water shoots, dead branches, and form the tree. Mild pruning of old spurs induces new spurs, which are of prime importance for fruiting.

6. Inter-cropping:

Inter-cropping with vegetables, green manure, or pulses is useful in the initial years of pomegranate plantation, particularly in regions with satisfactory rainfall. Inter-cropping offers extra income while the pomegranate orchard is still developing.

7. Flowering Regulation (Bahar Treatment):

In order to control flowering and ensure that the fruiting is uniform, farmers may use a sequence of treatments:

• Two months prior to flowering: Stop irrigation and spray ethrel (1–2 ml per litre).
• 40-45 days after withholding irrigation: Pruning and use of recommended fertilizers promote lavish flowering.

8. Plant Protection Measures:

Pest and disease protection of the pomegranate crop is important for high-quality fruit production:

• Pests: Control mealy bugs, fruit borers, and whiteflies using pesticides such as deltamethrin, dimethoate, or malathion.
• Diseases: Use of Kavach (2 gm/litre) and Carbendazim (1 gm/litre) prevents fruit rot. Mancozeb (2 gm/litre) is employed for the control of leaf spots.
• Fruit Cracking: Avoid cracking by growing tolerant varieties and spraying calcium hydroxide after fruit setting.

Harvesting and Yield

Pomegranate is a climacteric fruit, and it matures on the plant and does not further ripen after picking. It takes about 120–130 days from fruit set for the fruit to mature. The color of the fruit turns yellowish-red at maturity, and the calyx at the distal end of the fruit closes. Harvesting must be conducted when the fruit is ripe to preserve its quality.

Pomegranate trees come into production within the 5th year after cultivation. Up to the 8th year, the crop can yield 7 tonnes an acre, depending on prices which can vary between INR 15,000 a tonne.

Economics of Pomegranate Cultivation

The price of setting up a pomegranate orchard per acre is around INR 1.75 lakhs. The yield is low in the initial years, but it rises sharply after the 5th year. The return per acre in the 5th year is INR 60,000, which rises to INR 1.05 lakhs in the 8th year. Including income from inter-cropping, the total profit can be as high as INR 68,800 in the 8th year.

Pomegranate Varieties in India

A number of pomegranate varieties are grown in India, each having distinctive features:

• Ganesh: Fruit is medium-sized with a smooth yellow skin and pink arils.
• Jyoti: Fruit is medium to large with yellowish-red color and pink, sweet arils.
• Jalore: Fruit is spherical with yellow-red color and juicy, sweet arils.
• Mridula: Fruit is small with blood-red arils and dwarf plants.
• Bhagwa: The most widely cultivated variety, characterized by its large size, shiny red rind, and deep red arils.
• Ruby: Dwarf plant with red arils and good taste.
• Amlidana: For anardana production, with very acidic arils.

To summarize How to Successfully Grow Pomegranate in India, pomegranate farming in India can be very lucrative if done the right way. With the appropriate agronomic management and top-notch varieties, farmers can not only guarantee a steady income but also help promote this profitable fruit industry in the country.