Gooseberry, or Amla (in Hindi), is a small green fruit with tons of nutritional and medicinal value. People across the globe consume this crop to get the benefits of Vitamin C, speed up their metabolism and flush out toxins from the body.
The cultivation of the fruit is done for commercial intent, as it provides a great inflow of income. From 4 tons of crops, you can earn a steady income of Rs. 3,20,000 in the first year from an acre of land. Let’s help you with some tips you will need to grow absolute quality gooseberry fruits over your farm with premium quality Sonalika tractor.
Technical Factors to Sow, Grow & Harvest Gooseberry in India
- Select the suitable crop area
Gooseberry plants show great growth over well-drained soil in the presence of sunlight. These medicinal crops can grow well in any kind of soil type. However, sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 will be suitable. Moreover, the field should have good airflow and not attract pests and diseases.
- Land preparation
To sow the seeds, plough and level the land with top quality cultivator powered by optimum horsepower Autonxt tractor. Further, add organic manure and fertilizers to fertilise the land for better growth. You must add 10 to 15 tons of organic manure per hectare of land, followed by:
- 60 to 80 kg of N
- 40 to 60 kg of P
- 40 to 60 kg of K
- Plant the gooseberry saplings
Hardwood cuttings are used to propagate gooseberries in India. Make sure the cuttings are extracted from healthy, diseases free plants that are roughly about 20 to 25 cm long. Plant the cuttings in the well-prepared soil bed while maintaining a spacing of 6×6 ft or 7×7 ft. Prefer monsoon season, prevailing between June-July to plant the crops.
4. Watering & Irrigation
Gooseberry plants need constant watering during the first two years of growth. Later on, the plants should receive weekly watering to keep the soil moist. However, ensure the water doesn’t sit for too long in the field, resulting in logging. Drip irrigation is the most effective and economical method. This method provides proper distribution of water to the field while helping you save heavily on water bills.
5. Prune the plants
Pruning helps in the growth of new shoots and as well maintains the quality of the fruits. Winter months — November-December is ideal for carrying pruning tasks. The method helps in removing dead and diseased branches while maintaining the desired shape and size.
6. Harvest the fruit
During December-January (almost after 3-4 years) from planting, you can harvest gooseberries. Pick the fruit in due time, and don’t let it sit and overripe. The fruit should be handled carefully to avoid any bruising or damage.
7. Market the fruit
After harvesting, sort & grade the fruit according to colour, size, and quality. The fruit is easy to sell at good margins in local markets or to wholesalers. Gooseberries have high usage in the creation of a variety of processed products:
- Juice
- Jam
- Pickles
These products fetch higher prices in the market.
How to Control Weeds & Pests in Gooseberry Cultivation?
Gooseberry plants are prone to a variety of pests & diseases. They are vulnerable to attack aphids, powdery mildew, and fruit flies. It’s important to keep a check on plants timely and take actions that can help avoid the attack or mitigate their effects.
Final Thoughts on Gooseberry Cultivation!
Gooseberry cultivation is highly preferable for Indian farmers. By referring to the above technical specifications & points, farmers can grow high-quality fruits for sure. Growing of gooseberry is not that exhaustive. By aligning the right agro-practices and inputs, you can start earning stable income and embark on a growth-filled lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions on Gooseberry Cultivation
- How long it takes to grow gooseberry in India?
Ans. After 7-8 years of planting, the amla seedlings become fruit-bearing. You will notice the budded clones bearing fruits from the 5th year onwards. The fruits when will appear dull greenish-yellow during maturity.
- How much is the lifespan of a gooseberry tree?
Ans. The Gooseberry trees, if given proper care and maintenance, can survive for up to 70 years.
