Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry or Nelli grows well in different climates across India. It is a branching tree with an average height of 8-18 m. The flowers are greenish-yellow and of two types: male and female. Additionally, the fruits are pale yellow in colour.
Amla is known for its strong medicinal properties. Its fruits are used in various medicines and are packed with vitamin C. Amla-derived medications are used to treat fever, sores, diarrhoea, toothaches, and anaemia. Additionally, green amla fruits are popular for making pickles. Many products, like shampoo, hair oil, dye, tooth powder, and face creams, are also made from this fruit.
If you wish to become an amla farmer, you can read this blog and learn about the various processes of this farming.
Types of Amla in India:
There are only 3 main varieties of Indian Gooseberry. Each type has its characteristics. Below, you can check the available types of amla in India.
- Chaikaya Amla
- Francis Amla
- Banarasi Amla
India’s Leading Amla Producers:
In the last few years, amla production and farming have increased rapidly in India. This fruit has many medicinal values, and it’s great for health reasons. This is one of the reasons why it is widely cultivated in India. Let’s check the top amla-growing states in India.
- UP
- MP
- Tamil Nadu
- Gujarat
- Chhatisgarh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Maharashtra
Indian Gooseberry Cultivation Steps:
There are various steps in Amla farming, like weather requirements, soil preparation, plantation, care, irrigation, harvesting etc. You can read about these steps in detail below.
Weather Condition Requirements:
- Amla plants can grow in subtropical regions.
- This fruit can bear temperatures between 0°C and 45 °C. Its cultivation prefers regions that experience very hot summers and cool, frost-free winters.
- Sunlight is crucial for plant growth and fruit formation in the plant.
Soil Preparation:
- For amla, the ideal soil is well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 8.
- The soil should be deep and rich in nutrients.
- Before planting, farmers should plough the field thoroughly to remove weeds and rocks. For this, they can attach a plow to any versatile tractor.
- They should add well-rotted compost or farmyard manure to improve soil fertility.
Plantation:
- One can propagate amla through seeds or vegetative methods like budding or grafting.
- They should plant seedlings or grafted plants at the onset of the monsoon season, usually in June or July.
- The spacing between each plant should be about 6 to 8 meters and allow ample room for growth.
- Farmers should dig pits of about 1 meter in depth and width. Also they should fill them with a mixture of soil and organic matter before planting the saplings.
Irrigation:
- Once rooted, these trees require less watering because they are drought-tolerant trees. However, young plants require more frequent watering until they have established well in the soil.
- In the initial growth stage, water the plants after every ten to fifteen days.
- It may need extra watering during dry conditions or weather changes to enhance plant growth, particularly fruit maturation.
Pest and Disease Management:
- Common pests that affect amla fruits are fruit borers, caterpillars, and aphids. Growers can control them by using organic and chemical insecticides.
- Fungal illnesses like rust and powdery mildew can also damage the amla plants. To keep off these diseases, farmers can use fungicides and ensure proper spacing and pruning for good air circulation.
Harvest Time:
- Amla trees start bearing fruit 4-5 years after planting. Farmers usually harvest these fruits between November and February.
- During harvesting, they generally hand pick the fruits or use poles with nets to avoid damage.
- The fruits are ripe when they turn greenish-yellow and have a slightly hard texture.
Post-Harvesting:
After harvesting, farmers should remove all the damaged and diseased amla fruits. They should wash the fruits thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. Farmers can store these fruits in cool, dry conditions for a short period, but for longer storage, refrigeration is necessary.
Amlas can be processed into various products like juice, candy, pickles, and powders to add value and extend shelf life. Farmers can also directly sell these fruits in the market. They can use a Preet Tractor to transport amlas from farm to market. It is an affordable, fuel-efficient and powerful tractor.
The Final Words:
Amla cultivation in india has been economically fruitful because the fruit is nutritious, and its market demand is very high. Thus, selecting the right weather, preparing the soil, planting and watering the amla will help the farmers get healthy trees. Pests and disease control, timely harvesting, and proper handling of the fruits can make the produce better and more profitable. If you follow these steps, amla farming can be a good and sustainable way for you to earn a living.
