Cocoa is a plant with flowers and belongs to the same family as hibiscus and cotton. It is a plant that stays green all year round and produces fruits that look like pods. Inside these pods, some seeds are called cocoa beans.
These beans are very useful because they can make many things. When you think about cocoa beans, the first thing that readily pops in your head is chocolate, a food many people love to eat. But how do they farm this Cocoa beans? Cocoa farming, as an activity, can bring a lot of money and benefits to the farmers in India. And also, characteristic to trees, cocoa trees prevent soil erosion and provide shade for other crops.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh – States that have made a name when it comes to farming cocoa. A trolley can help you transport your cocoa pods easily and quickly. One of the best tractors that you can use for cocoa farming is a Mahindra 475.
Why Cocoa?
Cocoa is one of India’s commercially cultivated crops known as ‘Food of the Gods’. Cocoa production puts India as the world’s fifth-largest. Our country sits after Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia and Nigeria. What’s more, India’s yearly cocoa production is at around a whopping 18,000 tons! To say that it is one of the world’s most prevalent food items would still be an understatement. Cocoa farming is profitable and sustainable in India. Especially in the above mentioned states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Climate For Cocoa Farming
Cocoa grows well in tropical climates. But it must be noted that it requires a temperature between 18° Celsius and 32° Celsius throughout the year. Moreover, since cocoa has shallow roots and needs shade, you must protect it from direct sunlight and strong winds. Also, the area prone to drought is not apt for cocoa farming as it affects the yield and quality of the beans.
Cocoa fills well in heat and humidities. In any case, it should be noticed that it requires a temperature between 18° Celsius and 32° Celsius consistently. Besides, since cocoa has shallow roots and needs conceal, you should shield it from direct daylight and solid breezes. Additionally, the region inclined to dry season isn’t able for cocoa cultivating as it influences the yield and nature of the beans.
Ideal Soil For Cocoa
You can cultivate cocoa on a wide range of soil except for sandy or clayey grounds. Your cocoa plantation would ideally need a well-drained loamy soil condition alongside a pH of 5.0 to 7.5. The Kerala region is the best place for cocoa cultivation in India, due to suitable soil and climate conditions. Indian farmers are good at incorporating technology. However, Mahindra 275 leads the market in performing pre-farming activities.
Planting Cocoa
Cocoa is a plant that warms up quite well to humidity and heat, it thrives in such conditions. But then again, cocoa also needs a lot of rain. The rain should be between 1250 mm and 3000 mm every year. In addition, cocoa does not like too much sun or dryness. You have to make sure that it has enough shade and water. Otherwise, there would be issues in it growing well. But watch out, pests and diseases are quite regular in cocoa. These can harm your cocoa plants and reduce the amount and quality of the beans that they produce. Therefore, you should avoid planting cocoa in areas that have a lot of insects or fungi.
Fertiliser requirement
Indian farmers are good at incorporating technology. Use manures and fertilisers for a high-quality yield. This is because nutrients and organic matter are important when the seedling is transplanted. Cocoa plants are heavy feeders and frequently require fertilisers. Remember to use fertiliser after harvesting and before flushing the plants. Potassium and Nitrogen are vital components for cocoa trees to grow and produce well. Also, apply green manures, organic compost, wood ash and chemical fertigation. In addition, pod-boring and sucking insects are common in young cocoa plants. Hence, use appropriate pesticides to control these pests.
Indian ranchers are great at consolidating innovation. Use composts and manures for an excellent yield. This is on the grounds that supplements and natural matter are significant when the seedling is relocated. Cocoa plants are weighty feeders and habitually require manures. Make sure to utilize compost in the wake of collecting and prior to flushing the plants. Potassium and Nitrogen are fundamental parts for cocoa trees to develop and deliver well. Likewise, apply green excrements, natural manure, wood debris and synthetic fertigation. Likewise, case exhausting and sucking bugs are normal in youthful cocoa plants. Thus, utilize fitting pesticides to control these irritations.
Irrigation for Cocoa Farming
Irrigate your field regularly while the cocoa is still growing on nursery beds. When transplanting seedlings from the nursery to the farm, start applying water immediately. However, it is important to mention that cocoas are sensitive to water logging. Therefore, you must drain out the soil, especially during heavy rainfall or flooding. In addition, I would recommend you employ drip irrigation for better watering.
Water your field consistently while the cocoa is as yet developing on nursery beds. While relocating seedlings from the nursery to the ranch, begin applying water right away. Notwithstanding, it is vital to make reference to that cocoas are delicate to water logging. Accordingly, you should empty out the dirt, particularly during weighty precipitation or flooding. What’s more, I would suggest you utilize trickle water system for better watering.
Conclusion
You can start harvesting your yield from the 3rd year onwards. On the other hand, harvesting for commercial purposes must be from the 4th year. The unit cost for one acre of cocoa is around Rs 50,000. As I mentioned above, harvesting starts from the 4th year onwards. So the yield and income from the cocoa plantation increase each year.
Cocoa, a profitable and sustainable crop, may give a high income for farmers in India. It is also an environmentally beneficial and adaptable material used to manufacture chocolate, one of the world’s most popular meals. However, cocoa farming requires suitable soil and climate conditions and sufficient manures, fertilisers, irrigation, and pest control. Cocoa harvesting begins in the third or fourth year of planting and rises year after year. Some of the most crucial components discussed in this blog, we have created to assist you in learning more about cocoa cultivation.
