As part of the National Horticulture Mission, the department of horticulture in Madurai has introduced ultra high density planting of mango this year.
“While high density planting of mango is being practiced by farmers in T. Kallupatti and Sedapatti for the last two years, the ultra high density planting, which will considerably increase the harvest for the farmers, has been introduced this year,” said T. Padmini, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Madurai.
Under the ultra high density method, the mango trees will be planted closer together with lesser space left than in the high density and normal method of cultivation. “At least 800 trees can be planted in one hectare of land under this method. The target area to be covered under this method of cultivation in the district has been fixed at five hectares for this year as it is just being introduced,” Ms. Padmini said.
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Additionally, the target area to be covered this year under high density planting of mango and guava has been fixed at 130 hectares and 40 hectares respectively.
The area under cultivation of mangoes in the district experienced a sharp fall after 2013-14 owing to lack of rainfall and drought-like situation when many mango trees dried up.
While in 2013-14 the area under cultivation was 6,628 hectares, it decreased to 6,233 hectares in 2014-15.
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Drip irrigation must
“With sufficient rain last year and good rainfall in the last two months in the district, technologically advanced methods like the ultra high density planting is being implemented to benefit the farmers. Farmers should, however, practise drip irrigation when it comes to cultivating mangoes,” an official said, adding that many mango trees could have been saved two years back if the farmers had implemented the effective irrigation system.
Planting activities with regard to the new method of cultivation commenced at the beginning of June and would continue till December, he added.