Contract casuarina farming proves lucrative in TN

[rgiridhar]

Hindu 15-Nov-07

Contract casuarina farming proves lucrative in Tamil Nadu

Tree cultivation is a good alternative for farmers as unlike other crops, trees do not require much attention (except during the initial stages) and can be planted practically in any soil type. Tree growing (silviculture) requires less investment, care and at the same time could generate good income.

Agro and farm forestry

The pulp and paper industries in Tamil Nadu have promoted agro and farm forestry based industrial wood plantations supported by the Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu.

After a number of experiments to short list which tree species would be ideal for Tamil Nadu conditions, and whether they have a ready acceptance in the market, the FC&RI research team finally zeroed in on two casuarina species namely, Casuarina equisetifolia and Casuarina junghuhniana, according to Dr. Govinda Rao, Dean of FC&RI.

These trees can be planted either within the field, around it as border fencing, in wastelands, barren and non-forest lands.
Harvesting time

Both these trees have nitrogen fixing root nodules and hence, dependability on nitrogen supplement is less. Once planted, the two species can be harvested in about three years (that is 36 month period) and have recorded a yield of 125 – 150 tonnes per hectare, according to Dr. K.T. Parthiban, Associate Professor of the Institute.

But what about the market value for these trees? “At present FC &RI has partnered with a private company, Seshasayee paper board, Erode, for promotion of these casuarina species among farmers,” he said.

At present the company has been undertaking contract farming with a large number of farmers particularly in Erode, Namakkal, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore areas by supplying quality planting materials to them.
Price of seedlings

The seedlings are priced at Rs.3 per plant and the company pays about Rs.1,750 per tonne or the market price prevailing at the time of harvesting the produce (cutting and transport charges will be borne by the company).
Credit facilities

The company also arranges credit facilities through nationalised banks at Rs.20,000 per acre and harvests the wood after 30-36 months. During the last three years more than 10,000 acres have been brought under casuarina cultivation.

But are the two species resistant to pests and infestations? Prof Parthiban says, “Bark feeding caterpillar is a major problem which results in heavy damage. Control of the pest is difficult, however, application of one or two ml of kerosene into the tunnel is found effective.

Termites also cause serious damage in young plantations. This can be arrested by soil drenching with chlorpyriphos at 0.2 per cent.
Vulnerable to diseases

The trees are also found vulnerable to diseases such as stem canker and die back, pink disease, root infection and wilt.

The stem canker and die back can be controlled by applying 0.01 per cent bavistan. Wilt disease can be managed with proper soil and water management. Severely damaged trees have to be uprooted immediately to avoid further spreading.

Cost of each seedling is 0.80 paisa (for seedlings grown with seeds) and Rs.3 for cloned (rooted cuttings) seedlings.
Planting distance

About 2,000 seedlings (of both the types) are required for planting in one acre. The cloned seedlings are to be planted at a spacing of 5x5 or 6x6 feet and those raised through seeds are to be planted at a spacing of 4x4 feet.

The main reason for the growing popularity of casuarina is the ready buyback market and assured price which are slowly gaining momentum in the State.

For more information and booklet, readers can contact the Dean, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam- 641 301, Tamil Nadu, email: deanformtp@tnau.ac.in, phone: 04254 - 222010.