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.

Beetroot Cultivation Information Guide

Beetroot is one of the hardy and cool season vegetable crops grown throughout the world. The beetroot vegetable is indigenous to Asia and Europe. Beetroot is grown all over the world in temperate regions and the leaves of beetroot plant are heart shaped. The stem of beetroot plant is short and plate. The beetroot is a true biennial, producing thick root system and a rosette of leaves during the 1st year and flowers and seeds the 2nd year. Beetroot has wonderful health benefits and one can obtain good profits in 3 to 4 months with proper vegetable crop management practices. Beets can be grown indoors and containers, polyhouse and greenhouse. Read more about Beet cultivation here.

Aloe Vera Growing Information Guide

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant which is mostly grown in hot and dry climates with little annual rainfall. Literally, Aloe Vera can be grown in desert and drought regions and most parts of the world due to its wide adaptability. Due to many uses and health benefits of Aloe Vera, this crop is grown commercially across the world. Aloe Vera plant is indigenous to African and Mediterranean regions. Aloe Vera is also known as Aloe, Indian Aloe and in some parts of Asia it’s called as Knvar pathu and Ghrit Kumari. This wonder medicinal plant has many commercial cosmetic uses. Many cosmetic products are being made from Aloe Vera such as face creams, shampoo, moisturizing creams and shaving creams apart from using it in health industry. This is being used largely in herbal world for curing some diseases. Aloe Vera plants can also be used for decorative purposes. These plants can be grown indoors, in containers and pots. Read more about wonder plant here.           

Cassava Growing Information Guide

Cassava (yuca) is a starchy tuberous root of tropical perennial trees and used as food in tropical countries. The cassava plant is native to South America. The cassava crop was grown as alternative to rice, potato or corn (maize) in olden days. Nigeria in Africa is top production country of cassava in the world and Thailand is top producer of cassava in Asia. Cassava is an excellent commercial crop from which, food items, glucose, solvents, alcohol, animal feed, fertilizers, energy and others are produced.

 The cassava tubers and leaves are the essential parts of cassava being used. Usually, cassava root is about one mm thick and brown colour on the outside. Generally, commercial cultivars are large in diameter and length. Cassava root flesh can be in yellow or white. Cassava is good source of starch and calcium, phosphorus, vitamin 'C'. One can achieve desired profits in commercial farming of cassava with good cultivar and proper farm management practices.

Generally, cassava crop is long term crop which may take 6 months to more than 2 years depending requirement stage. As cassava has lots of commercial uses, one can zero on the commercial farming of cassava. Let us discuss more in next paragraphs about cassava farming from planting to harvesting including health benefits of cassava.   Read more about cassava cultivation here.