More mango from less space, the scientific way

By Ruchika Deshpande

Mango, which is grown as yet another tree in our backyards, promises a good return when cultivated on a commercial scale. This has been demonstrated by the scientists at the Jalgaon-based Jain Irrigation Systems (JISL) at Udumalpet near Coimbatore.

The research and development (R&D) team of JISL has tried different techniques to improve mango production, the latest being the ultra high density planting (UHDP). On a semi-commercial scale, during 2006, the company planted 4,033 trees in 4.5 acres with 3 metre x 2 metre spacing in Elayamuthur near Udumalpet.

Traditionally, mango trees are planted in 10 m x 10 m spacing and lately, the government has recommended 4.5 m x 4.5 m spacing between two trees.

At JISL, its growth is also controlled. “The trees are not allowed to grow beyond two metre so that we can manage to keep pests under control. It is also easy to pluck fruits,” said JISL vice president-projects Dr P Soman.

According to him, the cost incurred per year for UHDP is Rs 12,000 per acre whereas the input cost is only Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 for the traditional variety. But consequently, the UHDP gives 4 to 6 tonnes yield per acre, while the traditional variety gives only 2 tonnes yield per acre.

“This method of getting more output from less space is the need of the hour,” said a chartered accountant turned farmer A Thilak Ram from Krishnagiri district, which is the largest mango producing district in Tamil Nadu.

The district is also known as a hub for mango pulp manufacturing in India and the local farmers with small piece of lands are flourishing because of this industry. Mr Dhandapani’s seven acres of mango cultivation (Alphonsa variety) got him a turnover of Rs 10 to 11 lakhs last year.

For another farmer Mr Devan in Krishnagiri, the Totapuri variety of mango otherwise called Bangaloora fetched him Rs 10 lakh turnover last year. “The region is known for the Totapuri variety and it is mainly used for pulping,” said Mango Federation of Tamil Nadu president VG Sitrarasu.

He said 18.3 kg of mango pulp, which was selling at Rs 330, now gets Rs 990. “The mango industry is growing fast and it is recession-proof.”

Mango consumption in varied forms has also increased. “People are moving more towards fruit drinks like Mazaa and Slice and the ice cream industry is also using mango. This will increase its usage in the future”, he said.

Nearly 1.96 million hectare is under mango cultivation in India and 11.96 million tonnes of mangoes are produced a year. Though India is ranked number one in production, it exports only 0.29% of its output.

AAM SUTRA
- The commercial scale cultivation has been demonstrated by scientists at the Jalgaon-based Jain Irrigation Systems near Coimbatore
- Trees are not allowed to grow more than 2 m so that pests can be controlled
- The cost incurred per year for ultra high density planting is Rs 12,000 per acre whereas input cost is only Rs 6,000-8,000 for traditional variety