Jalore : Farmers of Jalore and Sanchore districts of Rajasthan have left traditional farming and adopted modern method of farming. Farmers in these districts have started cultivating pomegranate, due to which their condition has changed and today every farmer of Jalore is earning lakhs of rupees. Pomegranate of farmers of Jalore and Sanchore districts is exported to India as well as countries like Gulf country Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Bangladesh etc. Which is clearly benefiting the farmers of Jalore.
There is not a single government market for pomegranate
However, the biggest crisis for the farmers is that due to the absence of a government market here, they are facing the arbitrary harassment of private markets. Every year, 12 to 15 big markets are organized in Jiwana of Sayla subdivision area of Jalore district, which send quality pomegranate to every corner of the country and even abroad. The color of the vermillion pomegranate of Jeevana pomegranate market, which has created a special identity not only in the country but also abroad in the last five years, is expected to remain dull this time.
Crop loss due to rain
It is estimated that this time pomegranate production will be affected by 20 to 25 percent. The main reason for this is the rain at the beginning of the pomegranate season. According to the farmers, due to the rain at the beginning of the season, pomegranate flowers fell and on the other hand, the effect of pests also increased. In this situation, every year there is a bumper arrival of pomegranate in the market in the beginning of December. This time it is likely to happen after 20 days at the end of December.
Effect of disease, crop failure
If farmers are to be believed, the effects of Pankhudi and Tikri disease are being seen in pomegranate. Due to the effect of petal disease, flowers fall from the bush, due to which the fruit gets ready late. On the other hand, due to the effect of Tikri disease, the disease spreads inside the fruit and the pomegranate gets spoiled. This time there is an effect of both the diseases.
Trade has expanded to foreign countries
Every year 12 to 15 big markets are set up in Jiwana for the purchase of pomegranate, which send quality pomegranate to every corner of the country and even abroad. Pomegranate is mainly sent from the market of Jalore district in Gulf country. Due to its better quality and size, the pomegranate here is in special demand. The production of pomegranate here ranges from 100 grams to 500 grams. Also, the pomegranates here do not spoil for 15 to 20 days.
Pomegranate is cultivated in 3000 hectares.
The center of major production of pomegranate is Jalore and Sanchore districts. In which about 1.5 lakh tonnes of pomegranate is produced from different areas of Jiwana and Jalore districts. Pomegranate trade takes place between December and February and according to an estimate, a business of Rs 900 to 1.5 thousand crore is done from the district. Pomegranate is being cultivated in more than 3000 hectare area in Jeewana area alone, which is increasing every year.
Irrigation is done through drip irrigation
Farmer Bhagwanaram Bishnoi says that pomegranate is a drought tolerant crop. To harvest spring crop, irrigation should be started from the month of May and it should be done regularly till the arrival of monsoon. After the rainy season, for good development of fruits, regular irrigation should be done at an interval of 10-12 days. Drop irrigation is very useful for pomegranate.
In this, 43 percent water saving and 30-35 percent increase in yield has been found. Along with this, farmer leader Dhukharam Rajpurohit said that pomegranate is such a crop that once planted, it gives fruits for many years, but for that they have to work hard for 3 years. Loamy soil is suitable for pomegranate cultivation.
earns 7 lakhs per year
The farmer leader further said that pomegranate is ripe within 3 years. One plant gives about 25 to 30 kg of pomegranate in a season. Cow dung is the most suitable food for pomegranate plants, along with this, medicine is also applied on the plant every 7-8 days. He told that he started pomegranate farming after seeing his neighboring farmer brother. Today Madan Das has planted 1000 pomegranate plants in his 5 bigha land. He will sell 7 to 8 tonnes of pomegranate in the market in a year, due to which his total profit is Rs 5 to 7 lakh.
