1. Introduction
Aonla (Emblica officinalis) is very hardy, prolific bearer and highly remunerative even without much after care. Aonla is the richest known natural source of vitamin. Its juice contains 20 times as much vitamin C as orange juice. Aonla is known for its pharmaceutical properties.
It is a wonder herb and one of the precious gifts of nature to man. It is the best of all acid fruits and most useful for health and body rejuvenation and prevents aging. It's mineral and vitamin contents include calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin and to vitamin C. Its calorific value is 58. 100 g of fruit provides 470 to 680 mg of vitamin C. The dehydrated berry provides 2428 to 3470 mg of vitamin C per 100 g.
It is largely cultivated in Uttar Pradesh (Azamgarh, Pratapgarh, Varanasi and Barelli districts), Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. In view of its diverse uses, its cultivation is increasing fast and the crop is becoming popular with the orchardists.
2. Uses
The use of aonla in such ayurvedic preparations as Chyavanprash, Triphala and Ashokrishta is age-old. The fruits can be made into preserves, sauce, dried chips, tablets, jellies, pickles, toffee, powder etc. It is also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products such as hair oil, shampoos, chavanprash, etc. The ascorbic acid and other constituents are well retained even in dried form of amla fruits.
It boosts immune-system; The most important ingredient of century-old Ayurvedic medicines; fresh fruits rich in vitamin C are good live tonic, refrigerant, cooling, blood purifier and anti-diabetic; useful in jaundice, anemia, heart complaints, dyspepsia and indigestion; seeds used to treat diabetes, asthma, bronchitis and stomach disorders.
Medical Action: Aonla is good for almost everyone on a regular basis. It reduces or eliminates the risk of environmental pollutants, normalizes cholesterol, reduces unwanted fat, cures ulcers, prevents cancer, detoxifies the body, regulates digestion, has inhibiting effects against the HIV virus, promotes metabolic function and can produce these results in a dried, natural, unprocessed form. The only thing that could possibly be better than amla for a daily herbal supplement is the Triphala formula, of which aonla constitutes one third.
3. Varieties
There has been no standardisation of varieties of aonla and they are mostly known on the basis of size, colour and also names of places. The important varieties are Banarasi, Deshi, Chakaiya, etc. of which Banarasi is the most important variety for commercial purpose. The fruits are fairly large and very good for making preserves. It is an early bearer having good keeping quality. Another important variety is Anand - 2 grown in Gujarat.
4. Climate
It is found growing in different states up to elevation of 1,500 meters from sea level. It is sub-tropical fruit but can be cultivated successfully in tropical climate as well. The plant is not very much influenced either by hot wind or frost. The mature trees can tolerate temperature as high as 460 deg.
5. Soil
The tree could be raised even on marginal lands and is capable of withstanding adverse conditions. Amla can be grown in light as well as heavy soils, however, well drained fertile soils are preferred. The plants adapt to dry regions and can also tolerate moderately alkaline soils.
6. Propagation
Shield budding is commercially followed for propagation. Proper selection of mother plant is very critical for commercial cultivation on large scale. The mother plant should be highly fruitful of known variety and the bud should be taken from the branch with good number of female flowers otherwise the plant will be unfruitful.
7. Planting
Healthy budded plants are planted during rainy season. In dry areas where mortality after transplanting is very high, the seedling root stocks can be raised in situ for budding with superior variety.
8. Spacing and Plant Population
Pits of about 0.75 cum should be dug during May-June at a distance of 7 m x 7 m accommodating 204 plants in one ha.
9. Orchard Establishment and Care
As the branches of aonla often break off carrying heavy crop load the plant should be trained to develop a low headed one. The framework should be developed by encouraging growth of 4-6 well spaced branches with fairly wide angle. The pruning of the bearing plants can be done after the harvest of the crop every year.
10. Irrigation
Aonla plants hardly require any irrigation except during the spells of dry period. The young plants require water in summer at fortnightly intervals till they are firmly established. Watering of mature bearing plants is also necessary for better fruit development and to arrest fruit drop.
11. Plant Protection
There are no major pests and diseases affecting aonla. The major ones are bark eating caterpillar among pests and aonla rust among the diseases. Spraying with neem oil and some herbal preparations is recommended.
12. Harvesting
The budded plants used in commercial cultivation start bearing from the fourth year onwards. Amla can give economic yields for around 25 years.
13. Yield
A full grown aonla plant can yield up to 200 kg fruits per year. The productivity levels could touch a high of20 MT per ha from the seventh year of planting. Average yield can be around 100 kg per tree.
14. Market
Aonla has in recent years gained prominence as a crop of economic importance because of its therapeutic properties. Aonla fruits can be processed into various products such as pickle, chutney, sauce, preserve, syrup, powder and digestive chewing nuts.
Average market price is Rs. 6 per kg.
The fruit is mainly marketed in Mumbai, Amritsar, Kolkata, Delhi, Hydrebad and Patna markets. Pratapgarh near Faizabad in UP contributes to nearly 80 per cent of the total amla production in the country. The fruit from Tamil Nadu finds its way to the Mumbai market, apart from being marketed at Chennai, Bangalore and Kochi. At present there is a mismatch in the demand-supply chain of aonla.
15. Financial Viability
The viability of plantation is worked out based on the economic life of plant. The BCR and NPW are found to be 1.3, 10,652 respectively. The Internal Rate of . Return on 10 year basis is worked out as above 23% s_owing a high degree of financial viability.
16. Repayment Schedule
Repayment schedule is worked out on the basis of 90% of loan amount at 12% interest rate. As the income from 1st 6 years is enough to make repayments, it is suggested to provide the grace period of 6 years for principal amount. Repayment may be allowed from 7th year in graded installments, which will be repaid fully by the end of tenth year.
17. Refinance Assistance
As the scheme will be implemented on wastelands the financial institutions will be eligible to avail 100% refinance at interest rate of 5.50% p.a.
18. Margin Money
Margin money will be decided as per borrowers' category, which may vary from 5 to 25% (i.e. from small farmers to corporate borrowers).
19. Security
Security against bank loan will be charged as per rule specified by RBI from time to time. The hypothecation of standing crop will however be the part of security.
20. Insurance Coverage
The crop may be insured against damage by natural 'calamities for which the financing bank may stipulate the special terms and conditions as per rule of General Insurance Company.
Farm Model for Aonla (Emblica officinalis)
Planting material: Budded plants Spacing: 7m X 7m
No. of plants/acre: 80
Wage rate: Rs. 50/ manday |
