Safflower Seed Production Info Guide

Safflower is a highly branched, herbaceous annual plant cultivated mainly for its seed from oil is extracted. These seeds can be used bird feed as well. Silage or feed can be prepared for livestock using this crop. As demand for safflower is going up day by day, commercial growers are showing interest for this crop. Basically, it is a commercially cultivated crop for vegetable oil (extracted from safflower seeds). This crop is a rainfed crop, however can be grown round the clock with proper irrigation facility. When it comes to plant description, these plants are 12 to 58 inches tall with globe flower head having orange, yellow and red colour flowers. Usually, each safflower plant branch will have 1 to 5 flower heads with 15 to 18 seeds (each head). Safflower is originated from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Safflower is grown on large scale (commercial production of safflower) mainly in India, USA, Mexico, China, Argentina, Russia, Pakistan Ethiopia, Australia, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Iran. Safflower oil and seeds have an excellent health benefits and even used in herbal medicines. Read more: HERE. 

Cashew Nut Farming Info Guide

The cashew tree is a fast grower and tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew nut (seed) and the cashew apple. Cashew tree is native to Brazil and currently it is being grown most of the countries around the world. Generally, cashew trees grow up to 13-14 meters. However, dwarf cultivar of cashew which reaches up to 6 m, has proved more profitable due to its early maturing habit and higher output (yields). Cashew nuts are used and consumed in different ways. Cashew nut shell being used in application from paints to lubricants. Most of the coastal areas in Asian countries are major production regions of cashew nuts. Commercial cultivation of cashew is growing day by day as cashew nut became unavoidable snack in all important social functions. Read more: HERE. 

Sunflower Production Guide

Sunflower is one of oil seed crops grown throughout the world for various purposes. Sunflower is a major source of vegetable oil in most of the countries due to its nutrient values. Sunflower is originated in North America and later spread to the most of the countries in the world. Usually, sunflower seeds contain about 46-52% edible oil. The sunflower oil is considered premium compared to other vegetable oil as it has high level of linoleic acid. Not only oil extracted from seeds, almost every part of sunflower plant has commercial value in the market. Apart from preparing edible oils from sunflower seeds, it is also being used as nutritious meal for birds, animals (sunflower oil cake is rich in protein and used as cattle and poultry feed) and preparation of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and some other industrial products like paints, resins and plastics. These plants can also be grown for ornamental purposes. Sunflower oil is very healthy and known for its light and odourless characters. Sunflower oil is rich in vitamin 'E' and is derived from sunflower seed carrying nearly 45-50% oil content. Dwarf type of sunflowers can be grown in pots and containers. Some people grow these in backyards / indoors for ornamental purpose. Read more here.

Bell Pepper Farming Guide

Capsicum is one of the excellent vegetables and has great demand in the market. In some countries, capsicum is also being called as "Bell Pepper", "Green Pepper", and "Sweet Pepper”. The shape and intensity of pungency is different from chilli. Capsicum is like fleshier and of different shapes and colours. Usually, it looks like a bell, hence its being called as bell pepper. All the cultivars (varieties) are very mild in pungency and even some of them are non-pungent. Capsicum plants are bushy and reach about 60-75cm high and semi-perennials that are grown as annuals in commercial cultivation. Capsicum is used in salads, stews, stir-fries, baked and stuffed dishes, salsa, pizzas and cheeses and  pickles. Capsicums are also being used for producing paprika which is used for colouring foods, flavoring and in sauces. When it comes to the history of capsicums, they were originated in the Americas, but are now spread worldwide. Capsicum can be grown in controlled and protected environments such as greenhouse, polyhouse and shade nets. Capsicum grown in protected area has more demand due to good quality of produce. Commercial growers can opt for capsicum crop for good profits. The crop management practices of capsicum are similar to chilli crop. Growing coloured capsicum is increasing day by due their attractive colour and to use especially in salads. Capsicum is rich in vitamins such as “A’, ‘C’, minerals and antioxidants. One can expect more yield from polyhouse, greenhouse or shade net when compared to open field cultivation. Capsicums can be grown indoors / back yards, in pots and containers as well. Read more here.

Pineapple Production Information guide

Pineapple is a tropical  and sub-tropical plant with edible fruit consisting of coalesced berries, also called pineapples. Pineapple is one of the commercially viable and profitable fruit crops of Asia and other parts of world. Growing of pineapple originated in Brazil and gradually spread to other tropical parts of the world. Pineapple belongs to the family of “Bromeliaceae”. Pineapples can be grown for edible purpose and production of fiber. Pineapple fruit can be consumed fresh, cooked, juiced, or preserved. When it comes to plant description of pineapple, it is an herbaceous perennial, which can reach up to 1.5 to 1.6 meters height. In appearance, the pineapple plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves. Commercial grower’s proper orchard management practices can achieve good profits as it has an excellent demand in local and international markets. Pineapple can be grown in pots, containers and indoors.Read more here.

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Farming Information

Gooseberry or Indian Gooseberry or Amla or Aonla is  an indigenous tropical/sub-tropical fruit to the Indian subcontinent. Due to its medicinal and nutrition importance, this fruit has become famous for its commercial use. Indian gooseberry is a hardy plant which can be grown in waste lands. The best part of this tree is; this can survive in extreme hot and cold climatic conditions. Commercial growers of Indian gooseberry (Amla) can obtain excellent yields with minimum care or maintenance. Gooseberry is an excellent source of vitamin ‘C’. When it comes to the tree description, it is a small to medium sized deciduous tree which can be grown up to 10 meters in height with crooked trunk and spreading branches. This tree fruits are in spherical shape with green to pale yellow in colour. Gooseberry/Amla has very good demand from the industries for the preparation of various health care products like hair oil, dye, shampoo, face creams and tooth powder other than using in culinary preparations. With proper orchard management practices, farmers can get huge profits in gooseberry farming. Let us go through the cultivation of gooseberry from seeding to harvesting in the following write up. Read more about it's growing here.

Linseed Cultivation Information Guide

Flax crop is a cool season herbaceous annual plant crop with a short taproot system. Flaxseed is also called linseed. Flax or Flax seed belongs to the genus of “Linum”. Mediterranean region is the primary centre of origin of flax and from here it spread to other regions of the world. Flax seed or Linseed is gaining popularity throughout the world due to its excellent health benefits and commercial use. Basically this crop is grown for food, fiber and oil. Mainly Flax is being used in text tile industries apart from using this as food and oil. Some people can grow these plants for ornamental purpose as well. There is a possibility of good profits in commercial cultivation of flaxseed as they have good demand in domestic and international markets.

When it comes to flax plant description, usually a flax plant grows about 3 to 4 ft. with slender stems. Flax plant flowers will have 5 petals with diameter of 15 to 20 mm and the common colour of flax plant flower is pale blue. The seeds from flax plant are in round shape and dry capsule is about 5 to 8 mm in diameter and 4 to 6 mm long. Oil content of the flaxseed is about 35 to 40%. The linseed oil cake is used as manure and cattle feed. Flaxseeds occur in two basic varieties: brown and yellow or golden. Canada is the largest producer of flaxseed, producing nearly 30 % of the world’s total production. The following talks about growing flax seeds from seed to harvest. Read more here.