Success Stories

Off season Flower Induction in Jasmine- a Money Spinner

Thangaselvabai, T. Jayasekar, M. and K. Eraivan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pechiparai, Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari district, located in the southern tip of peninsular India, is blessed with warm humid tropical climate and well distributed rainfall. The climatic conditions prevailing over here favour the cultivation of most of the tropical and subtropical crops. The district has four taluks viz. Agasteeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode. Commercial flower crops like Jasminum sp., Rose, Tuberose, Marigold and Nerium are cultivated in Agasteeswaram and Thovalai taluks in which Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is occupying nearly 52%of the area.

The flowering process in Jasmine is highly seasonal and is influenced by several factors like environment, pruning, nutrition, growth regulating hormones and other management practices. The peak flowering season is from March-June. The production of flowers is high during the main season and the price is very low i.e., Rs.15 - 30/kg. Some time, the profit obtained during the main season is not adequate to meet out the cultivation or even the harvest expenses. During the off season i.e., from July � December, the production is very low but the demand and price is high (Rs 150-450/kg) as the season coincides with festivals like Onam, Navarathiri, Deepavali, and Chirstmas. The demand for the jasmine flowers and perfume in the domestic as well as in the international market necessitates its production throughout the year in large scale. Hence, to make jasmine cultivation as a profitable venture the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Knyakumari formulated an integrated crop resource management strategy for the induction of flowering in the off season.

Interventions

  • Pruning / defoliation
    Defoliation is an important practice for manipulation of growth and flowering as it influences growth, flower bud initiation, differentiation and ultimately the flower yield.
  • Plant growth substance
    Plant growth substances alter the physiological process of the plant system and induce flowering
  • Integrated nutrient management
    Though jasmine respond well to intensive manuring, too much of manure encourage vegetative growth and hamper quality and quantity of blooming. So soil application of split doses of major nutrients during critical growth stages along with foliar application of micronutrients (FeSo4 and Znso4) is highly beneficial to regulate flowering

Details of Technology

Defoliation by allowing goats for grazing during last week of May and once in 3 months thereafter. At 3 days after pruning spraying of Urea & micronutrients (FeSo4 and Znso4) at 0.5% concentration. Application of Planofix at 20 ppm on 7days after pruning.

Soil application of 10 kg FYM, 50g each Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria, 60:120:120g NPK per plant in 4 spilt doses immediately after each defoliation.

Spraying of 0.1% monocrotophos at bud initiation and development stage for the management of budworm.

Experimentation

The technology was assessed through OFT during 2005-06 and subsequently demonstrated in large scale through FLD during 2006 to 2009 at Kumarapuram, Thovalai, Avaraikulam and Pazhavoor villages.

  • On Farm Trail (2005-06)
    The technology on defoliation by allowing goats for grazing followed by nutrient and growth regulator application was demonstrated as OFT in five locations at Thovalai village.
  • Front Line Demonstration
    The same technology was demonstrated in Kannappanallur, Kumarapuram, Avaraikulam and Pazhavoor villages as FLD during 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 at 10 locations every year.

Results and Experience of the beneficiary Farmers

OFT

Thiru. K. Suresh a progressive jasmine farmer of Thovalai village was very well recognized the basic principles and economic benefits of the technology and he realized 46.94% yield increase with a net profit of Rs.2,07,000/ha. Being inspired by the economic advantage of this technology the near by farmers were also involved in the adoption of the technology.

FLD

During 2006-07 the technology was demonstrated at Kannappanallur village at 10 locations. Thiru. K. Tamilselvan, an innovative and very enthusiastic farmer while sharing the results of the technology with others he told, this is the way for my life. He have generated a net profit of Rs.2,22,000/ha with 42.0% yield increase.

Similarly during 2007-08, the technology was demonstrated at Kumarapuram village at 10 locations. An intensive farmer, M. Duraikannan while revealing his experience on adoption of this technology, he told that making money from jasmine farming is a reality. The wealthy life that I am leading is only because of this farming. He obtained a profit of Rs. 2,11, 000/ha with a benefit cost ratio of Rs.4.23 per rupee investment.

Again this technology was demonstrated at Avaraikulam and Pazhavoor villages at 10 locations. The interested farmer M.Sivakumar a proud owner of 7.5ha of jasmine farm while revealing his results with the farmers and media people he told jasmine farming is the only livelihood for me and nothing else. He obtained a net income of Rs. to2,46,500/ha with a yield increase of 38.2%. Highly impressed by this technology he extended the area under jasmine in his farm

Impact

Economic gain

The technology recorded 38.2-46.94% yield increased over the farmer practice with a net profit of Rs.2,07,000 to 2,46,500/-. Since the off-season flowering coincides with festivals like Onam, Navarathri, Deepavali and Christmas the market price goes even up to Rs.250/kg or more as against Rs.15 � 20/- in the main season i.e, March � April and made jasmine cultivation as a profitable venture.

Horizontal spread

As the demonstrated technology is very simple, cost effective and produced a BCR of 4.41 per rupee investment it is highly accepted by the farmers. The technology registered 33% adoption in a Kanyakumari and near by Thirunelvelli District.

Employment Generation

By the adoption of this technology flower production is possible almost throughout the year. Hence, employment opportunities are there for the labours who are engaged in crop management and harvest activities.

The production potential of the off season flower induction is to be realized and tapped by majority of the Jasmine farmers throughout the state. Income generation on such a vast magnitude through off season flower induction technology should be an eye opener to all, who are associated with Jasmine farming.