FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Contract farming of Coleus forskholii gaining popularity
M.J. PRABU
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The crop can be grown with a minimum amount of water
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— Photo: M.J. Prabu
ASSURED INCOME: Mr. Chinnapayan, a farmer of Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, has been growing the crop for the past three years.
CONTRACT FARMING of Coleus forskholii is gaining popularity among small and marginal farmers of Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu.
Coleus forskholii is a short term medicinal plant. The suckers of the plant contain an ingredient called Forskholin, which is used in the preparation of several ayurvedic medicines.
In India, about 2,500 tonnes of Coleus forskholii are cultivated annually. The crop is widely grown in Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Coleus forskholii is known as Marundu koorkan in Tamil, Coleus in English, Padarsoor in Hindi and Magandhiperu in Kannada.
Less water requirement
The crop is not water intensive and needs to be irrigated only once in 10 days. Therefore, it can be grown in an area, where water availability is not abundant.
The plants grow to a height of 2-3 cms. The sucker resembles a carrot in shape and is light yellow in colour.
The ideal seasons for growing this crop are June-July and September-October.
Profitable crop
"It is an easy to grow and a profitable crop for the farmers," said Mr. C. Perumal, retired agricultural officer and coordinator for more than 30 farmers who are growing this crop in Kanchipuram district.
The planting material (suckers) and technical guidance along with a cash advance are given by the concerned agency, which promotes the crop.
The contract procedures are quite simple, and the market is well assured. Mr. Perumal explained.
The plant grows well in a variety of soils. Being a hardy crop, free from any major pest and diseases, it can be grown with minimum care and investment.
Mr. Chinnapayan, a progressive farmer of Musarawakkam village in Kanchipuram district, has been growing Coleus forskholii in his 1.5 hectares for the past three years. About 1,00,000 suckers have been planted in his 1.5 hectares land.
Giving details on the planting technique Mr. Perumal explained, before planting the suckers, about 40 tonnes of rotten farmyard manure, three bags of DAP (Di-ammonium-phosphate) and six bags of neem cake were applied and the field was ploughed into furrows and irrigated.
Spacing details
The suckers were then planted at a spacing of about 2 cm on the furrows in a straight line. Irrigation was done on the third day after planting and continued once every 10 days.
Three side dressings of about 60 kg of potash and 100 kg of vermicompost were applied on the 45th, 90th and 135th day of planting.
"Farmers are advised to tighten the soil around the roots of the plant every time when the side dressing is done," Mr. Perumal said.
Weeding time
Weeding has to be done once every 25 days and as required. Though the crop is quite resistant to pest infestations, Mr. Chinnapayan's crop was found to have been infested with leaf mosaic virus.
To control this infestation, he was advised to spray Bavistin 500 gms diluted in 200 litres of water twice in the mornings, according to Perumal.
Harvesting schedule
The crop comes to harvest in about six months after planting and from one hectare about 12 tonnes of coleus suckers can be harvested. Fresh suckers are sold at the rate of Rs. 4.50 per kg.
Mr. Chinnapayan said, "I have spent about Rs. 25,000, which includes cultivation, fertilizer and harvesting cost and am expecting a gross income of about Rs.55,000."
"After deducting the cultivation expenses, I am expecting a net income of about Rs.30,000 ," he said.
For more information readers can contact Mr. C. Perumal at 99940-91891 and Mr. Chinnapayan at Musarawakkam village, Kanchipuram district, 631-502, Tamil Nadu.
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