Context
Introduction:
We all are familiar with the Aloe Vera plant. It is an evergreen perennial succulent plant. Mainly it is cultivated for commercial purposes. Aloe Vera is used as a raw material in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and therapeutics industries. For home remedies, Aloe Vera is considered a trustworthy and effective medication. Some are used for decorative purposes as well.
How to turn money out of green leaves
Aloe Vera cultivation expanding in popularity in India. Per acre, Aloe Vera contributes higher profit than other agriculture production.
In businesses, there should be an eye on-demand before production to avoid wastages.
Market demand in India: Aloe Vera gel is used to remedy skin diseases due to its antibiotic and antifungal properties.
Aloe Vera juice is the best medication for digestive issues, diabetes, and cholesterol control.
Urbanization results in unhealthy living promote the consumption of Aloe Vera as an organic way of cure.
Australia, the USA, and the whole of Europe are the major markets for Aloe Vera.
In India, The Aloe market raised at 23.72 million in the year 2017 and aimed to reach $ 38.68 million by 2023 by rising at a CAGR of over 10.02% in value terms.
Major Aloe Vera based industries in India:Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd.
Vitormed Health Care
Axiom Ayurveda
Rattan Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Kapiva Ayurveda
Kama Ayurveda
Himalaya Cosmetics
Patanjali Herbs
Revlon India
Aarogya Herbals
Aash Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
Lakme
L'oreal
Elle 18
Biotique
Aloe Vera price in India:At present AloeVera price is Rs. 15 to 20 per kg.
Aloe Vera cost:
Per ton – 15000 to 20000 Rs.
Per acre - 1,80000 to 2,40,000
Per hectare – 4,50,000 to 6,00,000
40,000 investments generate 5 to 6 lakhs Rs. Profit from Aloe Vera leaf production every year.
Aloe Vera cultivation in India:
Climatic factor :
Aloe Vera is a drought-tolerant plant. Aloe Vera thrives well in tropical and subtropical conditions with 350-400mm of annual rainfall. Aloe Vera can grow in less water availability hence suited for cultivation in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Soil for Aloe Vera cultivation:
However Aloe Vera can be planted into marginal to sub-marginal soils with low fertility but for commercial purposes, well-drained loam soils to coarse sandy loan soils with 8.5 pH are considered suitable. In central India, Aloe Vera plantations are done in black cotton soil.
Varieties of Aloe Vera :
For therapeutic purposes:
C111271, C111269, C111280, C111273, C111279, C111267
For cosmetic products:
C111267, C1112666, C111280, C111272, C111277
Preparation of land :
1-2 ploughing should be done after that leveling should be done to make soil weed-free and friable. At the time of final plowing, 10-15 tonnes per hectare farmyard manure enhances crop productivity.
15-20 ft. Drainage should be made along the slope.
The entire field should be divided into 10-15m × 3m several small plots. Spacing should be 1.5×1 ft., 1 × 2 ft. Or 2×2 ft.
Propagation in Aloe Vera :
Propagation of Aloe Vera through offsets ( generally called pups) is the most reliable and grows effectively.
There are other methods to propagate Aloe Plant but those methods are not viable and result in rotten and damaged leaves.
Pups or offsets are the baby plants that are assembled to the roots of the parent plants.
To remove pups from mother plants wait until it matures enough for rooting a new plant from it successfully.
A true pup is ready to remove when it attains the one-fifth size of its parent or has several sets of true leaves.
Once a pup is ready for separating, clean the pup and subtract the soil from it and remove the pup from the mother plant. The pup should have a root system affixed in it then only the pup can induce an Aloe plant. Use clean tools( sharp knife) for removing pups to avoid contamination from disease and pests.
These suckers can be planted directly to the mainland.
In 1 acre land, 15000 suckers are recommended.
Plant mother Aloe plant so they can produce more pups.
First irrigation should be done just after the suckers plantation. In the dry season, irrigation should be done in 15 days intervals. In the rainy season, no irrigation is needed.
To obtain a higher leaf yield, 2.5-5.0 tons of vermicompost are advised.
Fertilizer:
Aloe Vera plants do not need fertilizer. Overuse of fertilizer results in damage to plants. To encourage growth, low nitrogen, high phosphorus, low potassium in the ratio of 10:40:10 or 15:30:15 is recommended at the start of the growing season.
Weed management:
Aloe soil is loose and sandy thus weeding should be done carefully. Vigorous weed–pulling may cause root damage. Weeds around the Aloe plant should be eliminated thoroughly.
If leaves look thin and curled, increase the water availability of plants.
At the stage of high water availability, the leaves of Aloe plants start turning yellow or melting. At this condition, stop watering the plant for the next 1-2 weeks, and when resume watering, water less often.
Remove discolored leaves from the disinfected knife.
Harvesting:
Aloe plants take 18-24 months to attain full maturity.
Harvesting can start after 8 months. For commercial purposes, it takes 2-5 years to attain a higher yield.
Farmer harvests Aloe leaves in 3-4 picking in every year.
In India manual harvesting is followed in which leaves are removed from the rhizome and the rest rhizome is left in the field for further growth.
On average, non-irrigated crop provide 15-20 tons yield of Aloe leaves and irrigated crop provides 30-35 tons of Aloe leaves.
Harvested leaves are left in the field for drying the leaves to allow to release of moisture before transporting. Concrete floors are used for storing Aloe leaves.
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