Profitable Sweet Potato Farming In India With Guidance
Ipomoea batatas are the botanical name of the Sweet Potato. The starchy tubers are a rich origin of antioxidants and beta carotenes. Tubers of the works are the edible parts. The area under sweet potato cultivation is overgrowing in India due to its market demand. Noticing the need, many farmers are looking towards sweet potato cultivation. Making this cultivation profitable takes lots of implements, and according to farmers, Mahindra Yuvo is best for handling implements.
In India, Sweet Potato cultivation
As said above, the area and the presentation and productivity of sweet potato farming in India are increasing rapidly. According to India state advance calculations, 2019 -20, the total area under sweet potato cultivation in India is about 115000 ha, whereas the productivity is 10.2 MT per ha. In India, West Bengal, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh are the most significant growers of sweet potatoes. The crop cultivation period is about 120 days or 4 months and yields about 8 – 10 tons per acre or 8000 to 10000 kg/ acre or 80 to 100 q/ acre. Then, as starchy roots are edible, the seeds uproot from the soil and sent for marketing or selling.
Sweet Potatoes Seed Treatment and Sow
To sow a 1-acre sweet potato farm, we require either sweet potato vines or raw seed sweet potato tubers. the stem or vine cutting plantings, We have to develop a nursery seedbed for the 1st 40 days, and later transplanting is done to the main room. For 1 acre, we have to set the seedlings from the vines, and they have to be feted with fenitrothion 2 ml/ lt water + 1 ml carbendazim/ lt water as seed treatment before sowing. the tuber planting, we have done the same to the tubers.
Sweet Potato Pesticides
To control them, we have to spray numerous insecticides and fungicides like chlorpyrifos, carbendazim, and others. The pesticides costs in 1acre sweet potato agriculture may incur about Rs. 4500 as like other vegetable produce.
Sweet Potato Cultivation
We require labourers for about 4 months from sowing to harvesting and marketing. Therefore, on average, we need about 2 labourers for every 15 days interval.
Harvesting of Sweet Potato
We can uproot and see the source tubers to know the maturity indices or drying leaves are the symbols of mature sweet potato. However, we have to give one irrigation day before gathering to easily uproot the sweet potato tubers from the ground soil in expansion. Therefore, we need skilled labourers to pick sweet potatoes from the field. Thus, the harvesting cost of sweet potato is the labour cost required for harvesting. After the task of harvesting, Mahindra Novo can be the best option to carry the sweet potatoes from the field to the storage place.
Marketing
It plays a significant role in sweet potato cultivation. Primarily, marketing done only once, unlike other crops. However, the sweet potato farmer can also store the sweet potatoes in cold storage and sell them high.
Varieties of Sweet Potato
Several varieties of sweet potatoes are available in India. Have a look at them.
Beauregard
The most common sweet potato sold at grocery stores. The slightly stringy, soft, and moist surface makes it great to smash into a puree for pies or soups or hold their shape when boiled.
Jewel
Jewel has copper skin and light orange flesh, similar to Beauregard. It has a more robust flavour but not as sweet, soft and moist surface.
Red Garnet
This deep reddish-orange skin and brilliant orange flesh has a more savoury taste and is the most petite sweet reached to other varieties. Great for mashing into a puree for soups, baked or roasted, or used for dessert that has added sweeteners.
Covington
The orange-coloured skin with speckled dark brown spots has a malty sweetness. The texture is moist and creamy, a favourite variety in the South to make casseroles and desserts or just slice and roast.
O’Henry
Their tan skin and cream-coloured flesh have a slightly sweet taste. The texture is more firm and thick yet creamy. Good for mashing, boiling, roasting, baking, hashes, and casseroles.
Hannah
With a smooth, tan-coloured skin and ivory flesh, as it boils, the colour gets more yellow. The texture is firm, thick, and dry, similar to russet potatoes, with a light sweetness. Suitable for mashing, roasting into cubes, making into fries, or frying for the lower portion of sugar.
conclusion
This is all about the profits and net profits from 1-acre sweet potato cultivation. Ping us for more facts and any queries about sweet potato farming. That’s all folks about sweet potato cultivation income and cost associated with 1-acre farming.
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