Pigeon Pea Farming in India: Cultivation, Benefits and Market Value
Pigeon pea, also known as Arhar or Tur, is one of the most important legume crops grown for generations in the Indian subcontinent. This edible bean is a rich source of protein and is an essential food in the Indian culinary system in the form of dal. One of the reasons why other farming of pigeon pea is common in various regions of India is its ability to grow in different soil types and climatic conditions.
Pigeon pea is a crop that flourishes in semi-arid environments and is moderately tolerant to drought stress. It is also used for crop rotation because it fixes nitrogen, which enhances soil quality. Consumers choose pigeon peas due to their ability to be grown in dry areas and their favourable attributes to sustainable farming. So, let’s learn more about pigeon pea farming.
Cultivation Process For Pigeon Pea Farming
The cultivation process of pigeon pea farming is not just about sowing seeds and harvesting them. It involves a series of crucial steps, starting with the selection of the right variety and maintaining proper harvesting. Let’s learn more about it:
Soil Preparation
The soil must be prepared properly to obtain a proper yield. Pigeon pea prefers well-drained, loamy soils with a pH level of 6. Another factor that ensures good yield is preparing the soil by ploughing the soil to create fine tillage. It is also advisable to apply organic manure or compost to boost the soil’s nutrient value. This ensures a suitable environment that will allow the seeds to grow properly.
Sowing
Pigeon pea is generally planted just before the monsoon season begins when there is sufficient water available. The best period for sowing is during the middle of the year, in June and July, respectively. Modern technology that can be highly recommended for sowing is the mini tractor. Utilizing a mini tractor for sowing can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce labor costs compared to manual methods.
Crop Management
Once the seeds have been planted, the crop requires constant checks, as well as other practices to be discussed below. Pigeon pea plants should be planted in a well-exposed place with a moderate water supply, especially during the flowering and pod development stages. Weeding is important so that one plant does not compete with the other for nutrients. Various pests, such as pod borers and aphids, may affect the yield; therefore, farmers should use integrated pest management systems.
Fertilization and Irrigation
Appropriate nutrients for growing crops are important to ensure high yields. The efficient application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is important during the sowing period. Higher rates of nitrogen through top dressing at the vegetative growth stage can also benefit the crop.
Pigeon peas are not very sensitive to water stress; they need water at appropriate times,especially during the flowering and pod stages. Based on the rainfall, supplementary irrigation may be required from time to time. Drip irrigation is suggested as it delivers water to the root area of the plant and ensures no water wastage.
Harvesting
The pigeon pea plants mature in 150-180 days. They should be harvested when the pods are completely brown and dry. Additionally, it is important to harvest on time to ensure that seeds do not shatter before they are collected. The harvested pods are dried on drying racks and then threshed to obtain the seeds. Success in farming is highly dependent on post-harvest handling and storage to ensure seed quality and avoid spoilt seeds.
Post- Harvest
After harvesting, pigeon peas must be efficiently transported to markets or processing units. Tractors like the Swaraj 744 Price with 1700 kg hydraulic capacity can facilitate easy and safe transportation of the harvested crop. Checkout the Swaraj 744 Price if you are looking for tractors for your farm and transportation needs.
The advantages of pigeon pea farming
Pigeon pea farming offers several benefits to farmers and the environment. Let’s learn more about it in detail:
Nutritional Value: Pigeon peas contain a lot of protein; hence, the Indian community depends on it in their diet.
Soil Health: Like any other leguminous crop, pigeon peas can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere hence improving the fertility of the soil.
Economic Viability: In fact, pigeon pea farming, if well managed, gives good returns and is very profitable.
Sustainability: The crop is highly drought-resistant and possesses qualities that enhance the quality of the soil.
Obstacles to pigeon pea cultivation
Despite its benefits, pigeon pea farming faces several challenges. Let’s learn about it :
Pest and Disease Management: Proper measures for controlling the diseases are very crucial to control pests and diseases.
Market Fluctuations: This leads to price risks as the prices of the produce fluctuate, which poses a problem to farmers.
Climate Variability: Fluctuations in climate also impact the quantity and quality of the crops and tariff pricing.
Conclusion
Pigeon pea farming in India is a promising venture in terms of climate tolerance, nutritional quality and revenue. Through the use of modern farming methods and available technologies, farmers can improve productivity and yield. With the increasing global population’s appetite for pigeon peas, farmers will always have a ready market to sell their stocks of vegetative-grown products envisaged in sustainable farming.