Dates for healthy farm yield in region

It started with

Savi Thangavel

10 years ago, whose success inspired 10 persons and organizations to take up date cultivation around the city and in nearby districts. Guided by Thangavel, and their own conviction, they are now ready to yield the fruits of their labour. The cultivators now want it to be promoted as the new crop of the

region

NAGPUR: Savi Thangavel is a progressive farmer in his own right, but more importantly, he has set benchmarks with his conviction to succeed and innovative ideas. Thangavel planted

Barhi dates

— which many believe to be a desert crop — on an experimental basis at his farm near

Hingna

10 years ago. While some laughed at him, others mocked at him saying he would end making brooms out of the tree leaves as the idea of cultivating

dates

in Nagpur’s climate was unimaginable.

But Thangavel persisted, worked hard and took good care of his plantation. Today, he is a cynosure of sorts for all those either passing by or visiting his farm. Some of these passers-by even switched to date cultivation not just in areas around city but also nearby districts.

The farms of 10 enterprising persons/organizations are in different stages of date cultivation. The trees at the farm of Leonard Leo Naidu have fruited for the first time. He is planning to completely mechanize the farm and go for processing of dates in different forms like jam etc.

“I had seen Thangavel’s farm 2-3 times while going to Bor. But it was only after I read a report in TOI about it that I decided to go for date cultivation. When I met Thangavel, I realized that everything said by him in the report was correct. I discussed this with my elder brother Clint Leo Naidu who readily agreed. This is the first year of fruiting and we are extremely excited,” he said.

The Naidus had to put in a lot of effort to make the soil suitable for the crop in their land about 18km from the city on Kalmeshwar road. However, Thangavel not just supplied the plants to them but also tested their soil which was very sticky. He guided them right from plantation to fruiting.

They mixed gravels in the soil to change the texture so that there is no water logging. They are irrigating only through drip which is remotely controlled through a mobile phone app. For processing, the Naidus are planning to involve more farmers in cultivation with a buy back guarantee which is a win-win situation for farmers and them.

“We had earlier grown Marigold. But its market was very fluctuating and shelf life was less. But with dates we will have assured income and its shelf life is also good (2-3 weeks). Each tree is known to give fruits for 150 years. It is also less labour and water intensive. But yes, it does require a lot of precision. The trees require pollination by hand. So, in one hectare (2.3acre) there are 160 evenly spread plants, of which 10 are male plants,” said Leonard.

Thangavel says the Naidus have followed all the norms of cultivation and in fact their orchard is better than his. “They ensured that pollination was done at the right time, watering was right and enough. They are also planning to install moisture and temperature sensors,” he said.

Motivated by him the others who have taken up date cultivation include a big Marathi newspaper group, the Haldiram’s group, Bajaj Foundation at Wardha and individual entrepreneurs including Prakash Pohare at Akola, former congress MP from city Vilas Muttemwar and Sandesh Burbure in Hingna tehsil. “My son Swaran and me have been guiding all of them as and when they require help. I am really happy that my initiative is being replicated,” he said.

Thangavel and Naidus are seeing dates as the future crop of the region. The high temperature here in summers is suitable for dates and makes them sweeter. In winters the minimum temperature dips to 5-7 degrees which is conducive for flowering.

The drying of about 50-60% of orange orchards has highly disturbed Thangavel. He wants farmers to switch to other sturdier crops like dates. “It is surprising that date is not even included in the state’s list for horticulture crops. States like Gujarat and Rajasthan are promoting it heavily. The National Horticulture Board includes dates, hence it can be brought into state list as well,” he said.

He, however, says that since the initial investment in dates is very high (about Rs4 lakh an acre) it cannot be taken up by farmers on their own. “Instead of giving subsidy, the government should supply farmers with plants. The crop doesn’t need further investment except for organic manure and minimal

irrigation

,” he said Thangavel.

Bajaj Foundation, which works in 820 villages in the district covering 1.4 lakh families, aims to demonstrate dates as an alternative crop. Mahendra Phate, programme manager, told TOI that the foundation took up plantation in one acre each in Ridhora and Aamgaon as demonstrative plots three years back and the farms will fruit next year. He too says that government should promote dates in region as a new crop as it is very sturdy and has high benefits.

Pohare said he took up dates as his farm is near forest and wild animals destroy all types of crops. “I chose dates as animals do not come near them. Also, there is added advantage of assured income and proven survival,” he said.

Burbure has also planted date trees on two-acre land near Thangavel’s farm in Mohegaon-Aerangaon. “I want to set an example for farmers in this area who are more into addiction than farming. I have also identified three shops in city for sales,” he said.

Advantages or suitability of crop

· Sturdy, less water intensive. Temperature, both in summer and winter, of the region suitable

· Basically planting material is developed through tissue culture and fruits in fourth year

· Full production starts in 6-8 years

· Normal bearing-100 years

· Can be cultivated organically only

· Allows inter-cropping.

· No major pests and diseases

· Dates are highly nutritious and have medicinal value — rich in iron, potassium, offer protection against stroke and heart diseases, rich in minerals, rich source of vitamin B complex group and also known as a good source for restoring fertility


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