Spinach is not only good for health but also good for wealth. It is a high-nutrient crop and spinach yield per acre in India is 125 quintals in just 45 days and farmers are earning nearly Rs 2 lakh. Farmers can make good money by growing this super crop.
Spinach cultivation
Spinach belongs to the “Amaranthaceae” family and is native to central and western Asia. It is a very popular perennial vegetable cultivated throughout the world. This greenish vegetable is well known as palak in the Hindi language and palak ka saag is one of the most popular dishes among North Indians.
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Palak has many health benefits and it is a rich source of vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. Palak is good for skin and hair health it improves the immune system and digestive systems. It is also good for eyes and brain health and it contains anti-ageing properties it is also helpful in increasing blood cells.
Spinach farming in India
Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat are doing their commercial farming in India on a large scale.
How to grow spinach for beginners
In order to result in successful farming, you should pay more attention during irrigation, correct spacing, land preparation, sowing time, etc. All these steps are given below.
Climate required
The temperature required is – 15°C to 30°C
Water required for its farming – 80 to 120 cm annual rainfall.
The sowing temperature required is 25°C to 30°C.
Harvesting temperature for spinach – 15°C to 20°C.
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Soil requirements
This iron-full vegetable is soil-friendly by nature that can be grown in any kind of soil that provides a good drainage system. The best soil for spinach is sandy loam and alluvial soil. One should avoid acidic soils and also not allow standing water on your farm.
Soil pH range – 6 to 7 pH.
Popular varieties
Some of the popular varieties are given below:
Punjab green, Punjab selection, Pusa jyoti, Pusa palak, Pusa harit, Pusa bharti.
Punjab green – These plants are semi-erect having dark shiny leaves. After sowing they get ready for harvesting after 35 days only. It has low oxalic acidic content and it is able to produce an average yield of 125 quintals per acre.
Punjab selection – It has a light green colour thin, long and narrow foliage. The leaves of this variety are lightly sour in taste and purple pigmentation is present on the stem. This variety is able to produce an average yield of 115 quintals per acre.
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Land preparation
2 to 3 ploughing is necessary for soil preparation. After soil preparation levelling of soil takes place.
Sowing method and time
Method – The broadcasting method or line sowing method is considered for the sowing process.
Sowing time – It is a perennial plant and is sown throughout the year.
Winter season – September to october.
Spring season – Mid-Feb to April.
Spacing in spinach
Row-to-row spacing – 25 cm to 30 cm.
Plant-to-plant spacing – 5 cm to 10 cm.
Sowing depth – Seed sowing depth is 3 to 4 cm.
Seed rate in the cultivation
Winter season seed rate – 4 to 6 kg per acre.
Summer seed rate – 10 to 15 kg per acre.
Seed treatment
Soak seeds in water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing. Performing the seed treatment will increase the germination percentage of the same.
Fertilizer required
The fertilizer requirement per kg/ per acre in the required quantity is given below.
Urea – 75, SSP – 75 kg
Nutrient required per kg per acre
Nitrogen – 35 kg per acre and Phosphorous 12/kg per acre.
Fertilizer – For good yield apply 100 quintals of cow dung, phosphorous 12 kg of, and nitrogen 35 kg of per acre.
Before sowing – Apply the whole amount of decomposed cow dung and phosphorous with half the amount of nitrogen. The remaining amount of nitrogen should be applied in two equal splits after cutting. Light irrigation is required after fertilizer application.
Irrigation
Pick the soil having a good amount of moisture content for proper growth and seed germination. Pre-soil irrigation is required if there is not enough moisture present in the soil at the time of seed sowing. First irrigation is given after the seed-sowing process. It is necessary to apply an irrigation cycle at intervals of 4 to 6 days in the summer months.
Whereas irrigation is done in intervals of 10 to 12 days in the winter months. Over-irrigation should be avoided and do not throw water on the leaves it will slow down the plant growth. Drip irrigation is one of the best irrigation methods for any cultivation.
Pest disease and solutions
Pest
Aphid – Aphid is one of the most common pests found in spinach plants.
Aphid solution – Malathion sprays 50EC@350 ml/80 to 100 ltr of water. Harvesting should be done after 7 days of malathion spray.
Disease
Cercospora leaf spot – small circular to semi Circular spot occurs on the leaves. This spot contains a grey centre and red margins.
Solution – carbendazim spray @400 gram or indofil M 45 @400 gram in 150 ltr water per acre.
Harvesting
This high-nutrient vegetable gets ready for harvesting after 35 to 45 days depending upon the variety. Use a sharp knife or sickle for the harvesting process.
Project Report
| Cost per acre Planting material cost = Rs 5000. Fertilizer cost = Rs 1500. Manure and cow dung cost = Rs 1000. Medicine and spray cost = Rs 1000. Drip irrigation cost = Rs 55,000. Irrigation cost = Rs 8000. Land preparation cost = Rs 5000. Labour cost = Rs 10,000. Miscellaneous cost = Rs 5000. Total cost = Rs 91,500. Farming profit per acre Yield per acre = 125 quintals. 1 quintal = 100 kg. 125 quintal = 12500 kg. Price per kg in India = Rs 20. Profit = 12500 kg x Rs 20 = Rs 2,50,000. Net Profit = Profit per acre – cost per acre. Net Profit = Rs 2,50,000 – Rs 91,500. Net Profit = Rs 1,58,500. So this is the spinach profit per acre. Note – This is the assumption of profit and actual figures may vary according to the variety, price, demand, and location. |
FAQ
What is the spinach price per kg in India?
The price varies between Rs 20 to Rs 50 per kg depending on the variety and the season.
What is spinach yield per acre in India?
With good care, one can produce 115 to 125 quintals per acre.
What is the spinach yield per hectare?
20,000 kg (20 tonnes) to 30,000 kg (30 tonnes) of this vegetable can be produced on 1 hectare of land.
When can I start spinach harvesting after sowing the seeds?
It is a quick-growing crop and needs only 35 to 45 days from the sowing to get ready for harvesting.
Is spinach farming profitable?
Yes, definitely it is profitable farming and one can earn approximately Rs 200000 per acre.
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