Almonds, one of the most popular dried fruits with energy-boosting properties, are grown worldwide, mainly in Asia’s South and the Middle East. And California almonds are very popular all over the world. However, in our country, farmers do Almond Cultivation mainly in the hilly parts of the cold regions, mainly in the hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
It is classified with peaches in the subgenus Amygdalus, separated from other subgenera by corrugations on the shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed. The almond fruit is a drupe, including an outer hull with a hard shell and seeds, which are not a true nut on the inside.
How to Start an Almond Farming in India
When you start any plant to sow, you need to know the various most essential sections that would be helpful in profitable business cultivation. You should also know which are more trustworthy tractors in almond cultivation. You can use the Farmtrac 60 tractor and any other that is helpful in the complete procedure of farming.
Land Preparation
Farmers grow almond plants in a wide range of soils with a pH range from 7.0 to 8.5. But deep, loamy and well-draining soils are suitable for almond cultivation. Almond trees can not grow well in poor and heavily drained soils. But this tree can grow in average soil supplementation with regular assured irrigation and Farm Yard Manure.
Climate Requirement
Almond plants can thrive in the best climate zone and need hot summer temperatures between 30° C to 35° C. These plants require a climate with slightly hot summer temperatures ranging from 30° C to 35° C and cool winters for plant growth. (Open flowers will withstand freezing up to -2.2 °C, but flowers are damaging from 0.50 °C to -1.1 °C in the petal-drop stage.)
The flowers can withstand temperatures from -2.2 °C to -3.3 °C for a short time but are easily damaged if low temperatures persist for a long time.
Varieties/Cultivars
You can get various varieties of almonds in the market. Common varieties include Tuono, nonpareil, and Mariana. Other than this, there are various commercial varieties available for higher production.
For example, Le Grand, Padre, Butte, Thompson, Carmel, Sonora, Fritz, Ruby, Monterrey, Peerless, Primorsky, Waris, Pranayam, Shalimar, Makhdoom, and Mercedes are some of the varieties used for commercial almond cultivation in India.
Almond Farming – Planting
You should plant the graft and bud almond in a square system at 3.5 meters X 3.5 meters (under a high-density planting system), 6 meters X 6 meters (normal planting system), and 4 meters X 4 meters (medium high-density system).
Try planting almonds from February to March if desired. The center of the pit is provided by bamboo supports to protect the almond trees from winds and grow upright.
Fertilizing
Almond trees are heavy feeders and require good organic and chemical fertilizers. Therefore, apply as much organic manure (farmyard manure) as possible to each tree during the winter season.
You should use the number of fertilizers based on leaf nutrient analysis and soil tests. Nitrogen/Urea should be applied in 2-3 divided doses. And the first half-dose should applied with DAP (complete) and MOP (complete) in a fortnight before the bloom is expected.
You should give the second dose (1/4) of urea in May-June. Farmers can apply about 1.5 to 2% foliar spray of urea to promote fruit bud formation and subsequent growth in the next season.
Irrigation/ Watering
Adequate watering/irrigation is essential for almond plants. The critical stages of the almond plantation that are most sensitive to water deficits are shedding and fruit development.
However, sufficient water should be provided during these stages to obtain a high yield of quality almond nuts. The drip irrigation watering method has been found very effective in almond cultivation.
Intercropping of Almonds
During the pre-fruiting stage of the almond, inter-cultivation occurs with several suitable crops. We recommend it for some additional income through sustainable use of the gap.
The best intercrops in almond cultivation are saffron, peas, pulses, carrots, mustard, onions, garlic, and medicinal plants like Lavandine, lavender, etc.
Harvesting
Nuts are normally cut by manual plucking in more than 50% divided steps. It begins to split open in late July, and by mid to late August, the division widens, exposing the shell and drying out the nuts. Make sure it is dry to harvest, as rain can damage the quality of the nuts.
Farmers usually Harvest from hammering the branches with sticks or by hand. But care is needed to protect the fruiting wood and branches when hitting the branches with sticks. Afterward, the almond husks are removed from the hand.
Need the Equipment in the Almond Cultivation
When you want to get information about farming, you should also know the tools that will help in increasing the yield. Rotavator, Cultivator, Tiller, and Tractor are essential in every type of farming. However, among all the equipment, the tractor is the most important. That’s why we recommend the Mahindra Yuvo 585 Mat tractor for almond cultivation in India.
For more information regarding the almond Cultivation Business in India, stay tuned with us.
