Model Scheme on Pomegranate cultivation

NATIONALBANK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Introduction :
Pomegranate is one of the commercial fruit crops of India. It is native to Iran
(Persia).Pomegranate is known as a drought tolerant crop, yet regular irrigation is
mandatory to commercial yield production. Water levels and optimal irrigation regime
depend on a plurality of factors as soil type, tree size, physiological phase and potential
evaporation. As a rule the tree needs little supplemental irrigation. The commonly used
irrigation regime in pomegranate orchards relies mainly on the experience gained by
growers and less on formal experiments.

2.Suitable Climate Pomegranate cultivation :

Pomegranate prefers dry climate. During fruit development, prolonged hot and dry
climate is required. Optimum temperature congenial for fruit development is 38 degree
C. In humid climate the fruits are severely damaged by pomegranate butterfly and do
not develop sweetness. It is winter hardy and very drought tolerant. It can grow up to
an elevation of 1850 meters. Pomegranate grows well under semi-arid conditions and
can be grown upto an altitude of 500 m. above msl.. It thrives well under hot, dry
summer and cold winter provided irrigation facilities are available. The tree requires
hot and dry climate during fruit development and ripening. Pomegranate tree is
deciduous in areas of low winter temperature and an evergreen or partially deciduous
in tropical and sub-tropical conditions.

3. Suitable Soil type for Pomegranate cultivation :

It grows under wide variety of soils and can tolerate even alkalinity and salinity to
certain extent. However, best results are obtained in deep heavy loam and well
drained soils. It is sensitive to soil moisture fluctuations causing fruit cracking which is
a serious problem of this crop.Well drained, sandy loan to deep loamy or alluvial soils
is suitable for Pomegranate Farming.

4.Pomegranate Varieties :
In recent years several new varieties have been developed and new orchards have
come with well-known improved varieties.
i.Ganesh :
This is a selection from ‘Alandi’ developed by Dr. Cheema at Pune which has
revolutionized cultivation of pomegranate in Maharashtra state. This has soft seeds
and pinkish flesh with juice of agreeable taste and bears heavily.
ii. Dholka :
Popular variety of Gujarat with fruits of large size, rind greenish yellow, flesh aril
pinkish white seeds soft,juice acidic. It is a medium cropper.
iii. Jodhpur Local :
Medium sized fruit with hard rind, fleshy aril light pink, sweet, juicy, seed moderately
hard.
iv.Seedless (Bedana) :
Fruit medium to large in size, rind brownish green, fleshy aril light pink or whitish, very
sweet, very juicy, soft seeded. ‘Bassein seedless & KVK – 1’ are from Karnataka and
‘Jalore Selection’ are popular names in north India. In South India, ‘Paper Shell’,
‘Spanish Ruby’, ‘Muscat Red’ & ‘Velladu’ have shown promise.

v.Other pomegranate varieties : cultivated in India are Alandi or Vadki, Kandhari,

Kabul, Muskati Red, Paper Shelled, Spanish Ruby, G 137, P 23, P 26, Mridula,
Aarakta, Jyoti, Ruby, IIHR Selection, Yercaud 1 and Co 1.
5.Propagation in Pomegranate cultivation :
Vegetative propagation is recommended in establishing pomegranate. Propagation by
cuttings is common. Cuttings should be taken from suckers which spring from the base
of the main stem and should be mature about 20 to 30 cm long and 6-12 mm thick.
Rainy season is the best period to achieve maximum success.

6.Preparation of Land for Pomegranate cultivation :

Land is prepared by ploughing, harrowing, levelling and removing weeds.

7.Planting Material :
Pomegranate is propagated vegetatively by cuttings, air layering or gootee.

8.Planting Time :
Air layering is usually done during the rainy season and also in November-December.
Planting is usually done in spring (February-March) and July-August in sub-tropical
and tropical regions respectively.

9.Plant Spacing :
High density planting is adopted in temperate regions. A spacing of 5-6 m. in northern
India and also in the plains of Deccan plateau is usually followed. High density planting
with a spacing gives 2-2.5 times more yield than that obtained when the normal
planting distance of 5 X 5 m. is adopted. Farmers have adopted a spacing of 2.5 X 4.5
m. Closer spacing increases disease and pest incidence.

10.Planting Method preferred in Pomegranate cultivation :

Square system of planting is mostly adopted. Planting distance is decided on the basis
of soil type and climate. A spacing of 4-5 m. on marginal and very light soils is
recommended. Pits of 60 X 60 X 60 cm. size are dug (at a spacing of 5 cm. in square
system) about a month prior to planting and kept open under the sun for a fortnight.
About 50 g. of 5% BHC or carbaryl dust is dusted on the bottom and sides of the pits
as a pre-caution against termites. The pits are filled with top soil mixed with 20 kg.
farmyard manure and 1 kg. super phosphate. After filling the pit, watering is done to
allow soil to settle down. Cuttings/air layers are then planted and staked. Irrigation is
provided immediately after planting.

11.Manures and Fertilizers in Pomegranate cultivation :

The recommended fertilizer dose is 600-700 g. N, 200-250 g. P2O5 and 200-250 g.

K2O /tree/year. Application of 10 kg. farmyard manure and 75 g. ammonium sulphate
to 5 year old tree annually is adequate , whereas application of 50 kg. farmyard manure
and 3.5 kg. oil cake or 1 kg. sulphate of ammonia prior to flowering is ideal for healthy
growth and fruiting. The time of application is December/January for ambe bahar,
May/June for Mrig bahar and October/November for hasthe bahar. The basal dose of
farmyard manure @ 25-40 cart-loads /ha. besides the recommended doses of N, P
and K should be applied to non-bearing trees in 3 split doses coinciding with growth
of flushes during January, June and September. Fruiting should be encouraged from
fourth year onwards. Nitrogenous fertilizer is applied in two split doses starting at the
time of first irrigation after bahar treatment and next at 3 weeks interval, whereas full
dose of P and K should be applied at one time. These should be applied in a shallow
circular trench below tree canopy not beyond a depth of 8-10 cm. After application,
fertilizers are covered with top soil and irrigated.

12.Training institutes & source of planting material for Pomegranate cultivation

:
Following places farmers can be suitably trained for pomegranate cultivation :
 Director, Horticulture Department, Pant Krishi Bhawan Jaipur (Rajasthan).
 Indian Agriculture Research Institute New Delhi.
 Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner- Jaipur, (Rajasthan).
 Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University Bikaner (Rajasthan)..
 Agriculture University, Mandor, Jodhpur, (Rajasthan).
 Agriculture University, Borkhera, Kota, (Rajasthan).
 Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (Rajasthan)
 Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence (CoE) for pomegranate in Bassi, Jaipur
 Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.Jalgaon Maharastra.

13. Pests & Disease Management in Pomegranate cultivation :

In Pomegranate Farming, Pomegranate butterfly and bark eating caterpillar are the
common pests of Pomegranate. The fruits are susceptible to fruit fly which needs to
be controlled from flowering to button stage. At this stage spray of sevin (carbaryl)
0.2% (200 gm/100 litre) or endosuplhan 0.05% at 10 days interval alternatively, must
be given.Fruit spot and fruit rot are the common fungal diseases for which proper and
regular spraying are made.

14.Physiological disorder:
Fruit cracking is a most serious physiological disorder in pomegranate which limits its
cultivation. In young fruits it could be due to boron deficiency but fully grown fruits
crack due to moisture imbalances as there are very sensitive to variations in soil
moisture and humidity. Prolonged drought causes hardening of peel and if this is
followed by heavy irrigation or down pour then the pulp grows and the peel cracks.
This problem can be overcome by :
 Maintaining soil moisture and not allowing wide variations in soil moisture
depletion,
 Cultivation of tolerant varieties,
 Early harvesting not allowing the fruits to crack and
 Spray of calcium hydroxide on leaves and on fruit set.

15.Irrigation/Water Supply:
Irrigation may be given depending on soil, climate and availability of water.First
irrigation is provided in case of mrig bahar crop in the middle of May followed by regular
irrigation till the monsoon sets in. Weekly irrigation in summers and that during winters
at fortnightly intervals is recommended. The check basin system of irrigation is usually
followed.The average annual water requirement through drip irrigation is 20 cm. Drip
irrigation helps to save 44% on irrigation and 64% when sugarcane trash mulch is
used. It also helps to increase the yield by 30-35%.

16.Training and Pruning:

In Pomegranate Farming, Plants are trained on a single stem or in multi-stem
system. Since the crops trained on single stem training system are more susceptible
to pests viz. stem borer and shoot hole borer, the other system is more prevalent in
the country.
Pruning is not much required except for removal of ground suckers , water shoots,
cross branches , dead and diseased twigs and also to give shape to the tree. A little
thinning and pruning of old spurs is done to encourage growth of new ones.

17.Inter-cultivation in Pomegranate cultivation :

Inter-cropping with low growing vegetables, pulses or green manure crops is
beneficial. In arid regions, inter-cropping is possible only during the rainy season,
whereas winter vegetables are feasible in irrigated areas.

18. Pomegranate Flowering :

Pomegranate plants flower and provide fruits throughout the year in central and
southern India.Depending on patterns of precipitation, flowering can be induced during
June-July (mrig bahar),September-October (hasta bahar) and January-February
(ambe bahar). In areas having assured rainfall where precipitation is normally received
in June and continues upto September, flowering in June is advantageous; where
monsoon normally starts in August, flowering during August is beneficial. Areashaving
assured irrigation potential during April-May, flowering during January can be taken
and where monsoon starts early and withdraws by September induction of flowering
in October is possible.Considering comparable yields, prices and irrigation needs it is
recommended that October cropping could be substituted for January flowering.

19. Harvesting and Yield of Pomegranate cultivation:

Pomegranate flowers take 5 to 6 months to be ready as mature fruits. They should be
harvested mature which can be judged by change in skin colour to slightly yellow and
metallic sound when tapped. A grown up well kept tree should give about 100 to 150
fruits per year. A high density system with ‘Ganesh’ 1000 plant/ha (5x2m) has been
found very profitable giving a crop of 50 fruits/tree of good quality. After harvesting,
fruits can be cured in shade for about a week so that the skin becomes hard and fruits
can stand transportation better. Thereafter, the fruits can be graded according to
weight as under :
 ‘A’ grade – 350 g & above
 ‘B’ grade – 200 to 350 g & above
 ‘C’ grade – Less than 200 g.
Cured fruits have good keeping quality which can further be prolonged through cold
storage. When stored at 00C to 4.50C with 80%. Relative Humidity fruit remain safe
even for seven months.

20. Post Harvest Management in Pomegranate cultivation :

a) Grading and Storage :
Fruits are graded based on their weight, size and colour. The various grades are super,
king, queen and prince-sized. Besides that, pomegranates are also graded into two
grades- 12A and 12 B. Fruits of 12-A grade are generally preferred in southern and
northern region.
Fruits can be stored in cold storage upto 2 months or 10 weeks at a temperature of 50
C. Longer storage should be at 100 C and 95% RH to avoid chilling injury and weight
loss.

b) Packing and Transportation :

The size of packages varies according to the grade of the fruits. Corrugated fibre board
boxes are mostly used. In a single box, 4-5 queen sized fruits, 12 prince sized and
some of 12-A and 12-B grades may be packed. The white coloured boxes having 5
plies are generally used for export purpose, whereas redcoloured ones having 3 plies
are used for domestic markets. The red coloured boxes are cheaper than white
coloured ones. The cut pieces of waste paper are generally used as cushioning
material. Road transport by trucks/lorries is the most convenient mode of transport due
to easy approach from orchards to the market.

21. Marketing :
Majority of the producers sell their produce either through trade agents at village level
or commission agents at the market.

22.Economics for one hectare model for Pomegranate cultivation :

For one hectare model of pomegranate unit cost has been estimated at Rs 81300.00
per hectare. The IRR of the model scheme is more than one and bank loan is
repayable in eight years with grace period of four years. The scheme is therefore
financially viable and bankable. Detailed economic is given below.
Unit cost details for Pomegranate cultivation - 1 ha.
Parameters Units
Varieties - Ganesh / Mridula / Arakta/ Dholka
Planting distance - 4 M X 4 M
no. Of plants per ha. 625
Area (ha) 1
Labour wage (Rs.) 228
Planting material (Rs/plant) 25
F.Y.M.( Tonnes) 200
Urea (kg) 5.75
S.S.P.( kg) 7
M.O.P.( kg) 18
Plant protection(kg /l ) 350
Land preparation 1500
Sale price per kg (Rs.) 20
Maintenance cost ( per ha) from 5th year
onwards (Rs) 20000
(Amt.Rs.)
Items I Yr II Yr III Yr IV Yr
Land preparation 1500 0 0 0
Digging and filling up of pits 60 6 0 0
Plant material + 10 % Gap filling 2nd year 625 63
Planting and staking 10
F.Y.M.(Tonnes) 5 6 8 10
Fertilisers
Urea(kg) 25 30 40 45
S.S.P.(kg) 35 45 50 100
M.O.P.(kg) 0 0 35 45
Manures and fertilisers appl.(labours) 12 14 18 20
Irrigation (labours) 6 6 6 6
Plant protection measures(l) 2 3 3 4
Appl. of plant protection (labours) 2 3 3 4
Interculture (labours) 8 8 10 12
Harvesting 0 0 0 0

Items I Yr II Yr III Yr IV Yr Total

Land preparation 1500 0 0 0 1500
Digging and filling up of pits 13680 1368 0 0 15048
Plant material 15625 1575 0 0 17200
Planting and staking 2280 0 0 0 2280
Cost of FYM 1000 1200 1600 2000 5800
Cost of fertilizers 389 488 1210 1769 3855
Manures & fertilizers application 2736 3192 4104 4560 14592
Irrigation 1368 1368 1368 1368 5472
Plant protection measures 700 1050 1050 1400 4200
Appl. of plant protection 456 684 684 912 2736
Interculture 1824 1824 2280 2736 8664
Harvesting 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 41558 12749 12296 14745 81347
Rounded off (Unit Cost) 41600 12700 12300 14700 81300

Yield V Yr VI Yr VII Yr VIII Yr IX Yr

Fruits / tree (kgs) 5 8 10 12 14
Fruits in kgs / Ha. 3125 5000 6250 7500 8750
Gross sale value @ Rs.20 per kg 62500 100000 125000 150000 175000
Maintenance Expenses 20000 20000 20000 20000 20000
Net Income 42500 80000 105000 130000 155000

Economic life 20 years

NPW 267391
BCR 5.29:1
IRR >1
Repayment period 8 yrs with grace 4 yrs
 Repayment schedule - 1.0 ha pomegranate cultivation ( Amt . Rs)
TFO 81300
Margin 10 % 8130
BL 73170

Year Loan O/s at Interest@14.0% Gross Repayment Deferred Total Net surplus Loan O/s at the end of
the beginning surolus Interest outgoing the year
of the year
Principal Interest
I 37440 5242 0 0 0 -5242 0 0 37440
II 48870 6842 0 0 0 -6842 0 0 48870
III 59940 8392 0 0 0 -8392 0 0 59940
IV 73170 10244 0 0 0 -10244 0 0 73170
V 73170 10244 41600 5000 15000 4756 20000 21600 68170
VI 68170 9544 80000 20000 20000 10456 40000 40000 48170
VII 48170 6744 105000 25000 27000 20256 52000 53000 23170
VIII 23170 3244 130000 23170 18730 0 41900 88100 0

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DISCLAIMER

The models have been prepared based on information gathered orally or otherwise from various
sources and no financial responsibility is accepted by NABARD for accuracy of facts and figures. The
views expressed in this model project are advisory in nature. The actual costs and returns will have
to be taken on a case by case basis considering the specific requirements of projects. The banks,
government departments and other users are advised to use it only as a reference documents and
use their own judgment for sanctioning or execution of the projects.