Do you know that rising black potatoes might carry you earnings in lakhs? This nutrient-dense crop, black on the skin and purple on the within, isn’t only a feast for the eyes however a game-changer for the farming group.
Agriculture professional Akash Chaurasia from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, explains find out how to domesticate black potatoes successfully, optimise yields, and capitalise on their profitable market potential.
Right here’s how one can get began with black potatoes, a high-yield crop that’s prepared for harvest in simply three months and affords substantial revenue potential for growers.
1. Put together the soil
A powerful and mineral-rich discipline is vital to a great harvest. Begin with sandy loam soil, and for every acre, apply 100 kg of lime mud and 50 kg of neem powder to put together the soil for sowing. After ploughing, permit the land to relaxation, making certain the vitamins are well-absorbed earlier than planting.
2. Time the planting nicely
Every acre would require roughly eight to 10 quintals of black potato seeds. Sow them between 15 October and 15 November when the climate is cool. Black potatoes thrive in chilly climates, so timing is essential for optimum development and harvest.
3. Deal with seeds for disease-free crops
To guard seeds from pests and ailments and promote sprouting, soak them in an answer of 1 kg limestone in 15 litres of water for 10 minutes. Dry within the shade earlier than planting. This easy step goes a good distance in making certain disease-free development.
4. Undertake a sensible planting methodology
Plant the seeds in single rows eight to 9 inches aside with one-foot-wide ridges or in three-row beds for multi-layer farming. Preserve eight to 9 inches between vegetation and a pair of.5 to 3 inches inside rows. This spacing permits every plant ample room to develop, enhancing yield potential.
5. Feed the crops organically
Nourish your black potatoes organically for the most effective flavour and high quality. Use 15 tonnes of cow dung, 600 kg of bio-potash, and three tonnes of vermi-phos per acre. From 21 days after sowing, apply a pot manure answer each 10-15 days to provide important vitamins and maintain the vegetation wholesome.
6. Management ailments early
Black potatoes are resilient however might be susceptible to black spots. For those who discover these, spray an answer of 200 grams of limestone in 15 litres of water. Repeat the applying after 5 days if the spots persist. This remedy retains your crop wholesome and disease-free.
7. Harvest and promote
With the correct care, you may anticipate a yield of as much as 100 quintals per acre, which interprets to important earnings. At a market value of Rs 40-50 per kg, this could generate a revenue of Rs 3-5 lakh per acre!
Black potato farming isn’t nearly rising a crop; it’s about cultivating potential and embracing a way forward for worthwhile, sustainable agriculture. Begin your journey at the moment!
For those who want to know extra about black potato farming, you may immediately attain out to Akash Chaurasia on WhatsApp or name him at 9179066275 between 8 pm and 10 pm for professional steering.
Edited by Khushi Arora; Picture courtesy Akash Chaurasia.
