Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables Amla cultivation on the rise L.N. Revathy
Finding more takers.
COIMBATORE, June 16 THE area under amla (Indian gooseberry) has been expanding rapidly in the last couple of years. From just about 3,000 hectares (ha) in the early 80s the area had stretched to over 25,000 ha in 2000. It has doubled to 50,000 ha in the last two years. In view of its therapeutic properties, there is a great demand for the amla fruit. Current trends indicate that the area could surge to the one-lakh ha mark by 2005. Like many other herbs, amla has been in use for centuries in India. This hardy plant is suited for being raised in wasteland, be it arid, semi-arid, salt affected, coastal or ravine areas. Intensive cultivation is being done in the salt-affected districts of Uttar Pradesh including the ravenous area in Agra, Mathura, Etawah, Fatehpur and semi-arid tracks of Bundelkhand. It is spreading rapidly in the semi-arid regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the Arawali ranges in Haryana, Kandi area in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh extending to Ghar area of Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh tops in area, production and productivity followed by Gujarat. In Tamil Nadu, the crop occupies an estimated area of 5,500 ha, which is one-tenth of the total area covered by amla plantations. The growing popularity for alternate medicines, health foods and herbal products are enhancing the requirement for amla fruit. The demand projection during the 10th Plan has been estimated at over 2 lakh tonnes. A tree continues to bear fruits up to 65 to 70 years. The yield, however, would vary depending on the variety. Banarasi is considered a shy bearer, while Kanchan and NA-7 are said to be prolific and NA-6 an average bearer variety. The yield per tree could range from one to three quintals and the production per ha around 15 to 20 tonnes. The fruit, because of its high acidity and astringent taste, is not palatable for direct consumption, but its excellent and therapeutic values offer enormous potentiality for processing. According to the Aonla Growers Association of India (AGAI), there is a wide gap in the price of fresh amla. The fruit was quoting almost ten times more in the South than in the North in 2002-03. While it was offered for Rs 400 per quintal in North India, the price ranged between Rs 3,000/quintal to Rs 4,000/quintal in the South. In recent years, the crop has turned to be highly remunerative. To examine the opportunities for amla, the National Horticultural Board has proposed to convene a National Level Seminar on Production and Utilisation of Aonla between August 8 and 10 at Salem. The AGAI consider this (seminar) as an opportunity for a national dialogue with the stakeholders in amla growing, research, development, processing and trade for continued development of amla plantations.
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