what is lemongrass? It is an aromatic and medicinal grass type plant
grown in parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions of South East Asia, Africa
and other parts of world. Commercial farming of lemon grass is growing day by
day as the aromatic product demand. Lemongrass is widely used as a culinary herb in Asian cuisines and also
as medicinal herb in India. When it comes to Indian continent, lemongrass is
mainly grown in Western Ghats of India. Basically lemongrass is native to
Southeast Asia. When it comes to botanical
description of lemon grass, it is a tall and the culm is stout, erect up to 2.0
meter high. Lemongrass leaves are long, green, linear tapering upwards and
along the margins. Why commercial cultivation of lemon grass is so important,
because of its economic value. The oil is extracted / distilled from lemon
grass leaves and flowering tops has excellent health benefits. The lemongrass
oil smells like lemon refreshing odour because of high percentage citral in the
oil. Lemongrass oil can be used in perfumes, soaps manufacturing, detergents, cosmetics,
beverages and insect repellents. The lemongrass leaves may be used in tea
preparation as well to give refreshing touch. It is very easy to grow and
maintain the lemongrass due to less attacking pests and diseases. One can
obtain ultimate profits in lemongrass production with proper crop management
practices and marketing plan. Lemongrass can be grown in backyards, pots, on
terrace as this works as an excellent insect repellent. Read more : HERE.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
