About Rs.2 lakhs per acre can be expected from sixth year of planting
One of the main problems that farmers face today is decreasing income from an acre per year against sudden increase in the value of agricultural lands due to newly formed rural roads, mushrooming of industries, and concrete dwellings.
This forces several small farmers to sell their lands and settle in urban concrete jungles.
Low income
Diminishing income from an acre against increasing land value, forces many farmers to sell their lands. A family of 4 members need a monthly income of Rs.40,000 from an acre if they have to survive. But today from an acre one gets anything between Rs.10,000 to Rs.12,000.
“How is this enough? Naturally he prefers to sell his lands than continue farming. If we are keen that farming lands should not be sold then we must ensure income generation of at least Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 from an acre a year,” explains Dr. G. Kumaravelu, Member, Tamil Nadu Planning Commission and former Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamil Nadu.
Easy method
The easiest way to increase income from an acre is by planting certain tree varieties such Melia dubia (Malai Vembu in Tamil) which fetch a handsome price in the market, assured buyback, and require low maintenance expenditure.
In addition, the trees also aid the planet by preventing temperature rise and checking gas emission into the atmosphere as the trees are naturally endowed to absorb maximum CO{-2}.
Money spinner
Melia is a money spinning tree of short duration. Even if planted as a single row along the field bunds, about 60 trees can be planted per acre, which will fetch an income of about Rs.2 lakhs in the sixth year of planting.
“Since there is a total mismatch between demand and supply for wood and veneer, block planting of 300 to 400 trees per acre can ensure a minimum profit of rupees one lakh per year from an acre.
Under good maintenance and controlled irrigation from sixth year onwards, depending on the soil depth and quality trees of 80 to 100 cm gbh with a clear bole of 5 metres height can fetch Rs.4, 000 at today's price (7 per cent escalation can be added per year for the sale price).
Intercultivation can be done with annual crops in the first three years and then spices such as pepper can be grown.
Single row planting
Even if planted in a single row along the field bunds, about 60 trees can be planted at six feet spacing which will fetch an income of about Rs.2 lakhs in the sixth year.
Under high density planting with 1,000 to 1,500 trees in an acre, a yield of 40 to 50 tonnes is possible from the second and third year of planting.
“As the demand for Melia wood is quite high, minimum profit of about Rs.40,000 per year from an acre can be ensured for the farmers today,” says, Dr. Kumaravelu.
Pest infestations
Regarding pest infestations affecting this tree Dr. Kumaravelu says, “the variety is susceptible to root rot. Only optimum irrigation is required .
While planting the seedlings application of 2-3 kgs of vermicompost, 40 gms of Phosphobacteria, Azospirillum and Trichoderma Viride each in addition to 10-20 gms of Pseudomonas and 100 grams of VAM (vesicular arbuscular mycoriza) helps in promoting good growth.
Buy back
“Interested farmers who want to buy the seedlings can contact our office and we are willing to guide them right from purchasing the seedlings to buy back,” assures Dr. Kumaravelu.
For information contact Dr. G. Kumaravelu, State Planning Commission, 5th floor, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai: 600005, email: drgkumaravel@gmail.com, Phone: 044-28545482 (Off).
Keywords: agriculture, melia duba tree, good returns
Comments:
After reading this article, I've developed an interest in Melia Dubia trees. At present I stay in Hyderabad and own 45 acres of land in Kurchedu Mandal near Vinukonda, about 80 km from Ongole town in coastal Andhra. For the past 10 years I have been growing Eucalyptus trees not the clone ariety. Actually I did not take proper care. So the yield was very low even though my neighbours extracted lot of yield by planting the clone variety. Only last week I cut the trees and I will be digging out the roots soon. In the meantime I read this article and I hope you can give some advice regarding what to grow next.I have good water source. Can I grow Melia Duba trees? What will be the cost/investment?
Dear Mr. Kumaravelu can we grow this tree in Karaikudi area?
We want all data about this plantation. pPease send data to this email.
Dear Sir,
I am repeating my query. can we grow this tree in Karaikudi area, I have already sent soil and water samples for detailed analysis to TNAU Madurai. Welcoming your early response.
Thanks
S.N.Mani
I see your article, please details about melia dubia plantation.
HOW MANY YEARS WE CAN EXPECT GOOD PRICE.
I would like to know whether melia dubia can also be used for pulpwood in place of species like eucalyptus,acasia,casurina subabul etc.Would this grow and give the yield as mentioned in the article in the rainfed plantations?
I sent Dr.Kumaravel a email; sorry to say his response was not very satisfactory.
Res sir i have read your explanation about malayvembu tree.i have some doubts given below pls give details.
can we plant both malayvembu & saveku one by one so that we can get income thow saveku on 3.5years & from malayvembu on 7th year
you have given that we can plant inter crops such as pepper. so pls give
details about pepper plantation.
What kind of climate & soil is suitable for such plantation? What is the water requirement. What is the waiting period to get first crop.
We are growing oil palm near vizag. We have some vacant land, can we use it for this plantation?
let me know
tks
kk
Dear Sir,
I would like to know the full details on Melia dubia tree plantations,type of soil ,water requirement, climatic conditions, where shall i get seplings, its cost, Buy-Back arrangements. Can I plant it in Maharashtra ?
Please forward me the detailed information on the subject to proceed with further dealings.
Regards
pradeep rokade
pradeeprokade@rediffmail.com
pradeeprokade@gmail.com
cell : 09821096811
Melia dubia can be grown in almost all soils. It won't flourish well in problamatic soils such as acidic, alkaline soils.
As quoted by Dr. G. Kumaravelu, it is a crop of income. Depending upon the density, farmers can expect the income.
Sir, I have melia dubia seeds I would like to know the germination process. Everybody say its very difficult since you are in this field you might have did research to achieve 100% germination I request you to guide me. I will be grateful and thankful to you. I confirmed with local forest department about the seeds they said its genuine.
Hello Sir,
I am very much impressed about your article and planning to do this melia dubia plantation so could you please send me few details
1) where we can get good quality plants
2) Cultivation techniques.
3) Marketing after the crop.
The author is not responding to our queries. What is the fun of coming to media and giving such a statement?
Hai sir which use for melia dubia and any land make to melia dubia and where is avilable for melia dubia in vellore - dt
Thank sir
Very good information indeed. It will help the farmers if availability of planting material is made available as germination is no doubt a problem. Government can take up such projects in the interest of farmers and in greening.
After the article was published in The Hindu, Mr Kumaravelu is not replying to anyone. How can he answer our question? The members of the planning Commission are busy in their own purpose. If any one can pay more to him, he may find time to reply your query. Expertise is wasted if he will not answer queries.
Friends, Mr.Vishnu Sankar of Tirunelveli District is giving more details about this Melia Dubia (Malai Vembu) in his blog. His blog link is below and very useful. If the below link is not working copy and paste directly. Happy Planting!!http://agrowmania.blogspot.com/2010/07/melia-dubia-tamil-malai-vembu.html
Dear sir,
I went through your valuable article. It says that it has huge demand in the market. Further, I have some more doubts in this regard. first, I want to know who are the main buyers for melia and what are major industrial uses of melia? Then what is annual increment/year and what is market rate for 1 cft of melia wood? Pl give details, sir.
Where are malaivembu sapplings available and its price? I kindly reqest you to give me the details.
I am interested to cultivate melai dubia Kindly let me know whether I can grow pepper neary Mysore along with? What verieties of Melai dubia and pepper are matching? Kindly inform me the method of planting, space, manure, watering, and whether pruning of the tree branches will help to the growth of tree as well as to the pepperwine? Please guide me any body got experience in this.
I went through your valuable article. It says that it has huge demand in the market. Further, I have some more doubts in this regard. first, I want to know who are the main buyers for melia and what are major industrial uses of melia? Then what is annual increment/year and what is market rate for 1 cft of melia wood? Pl give details, sir. I have 20 Acres acriculture land.
As per your article if the farmer can get more income which is less risky , it would be really a great service to the farmers and our nation. Please organize a website which gives the authentic information like source links for the seedlings, the soil requirements, market links etc.
Thank You Mr.Dr.Kumaravel for your efforts on Malia Dubia. We want to Plnt Malia Dubia in our Land of FIVE near Hyderabad. Kindly enlighten whether you can supply the seedlings.If so what is the Price per seedling including Transportation to Hyderabad. Or kindly inform us that where shall we get the above Malia Dubai.
sir,valuable information is disclosed in your article.i am planning this melia dubia in 100 acres of land.look forward your kind support.cell no.09393822457,anantapur,andhra pradesh.
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