moving from paddy cultivation..

[beekay]

Hello,
Our family has about 5 acres of land in Tamilnadu and have been growing paddy and sugarcane for generations. Due to labor shortage, we are planning to move away from both these crops. There is no water problem. I would appreciate any better suggestion from any experienced person in this forum.
Thanks

 

[padmanabhan_ganesan]

Dear beekay,

1. Do you need money every few months?
If No, go for Fruit Crops along with Timber Value Trees.
If Yes, shift to Vegetable Crops.(Labour may be needed here but you may get more profit and this can be shared with the labour who will be willing to come for work as this gives sustained work and better wages)
2. You have mentioned water is NOT a problem. If this is the case, you can have Fish Rearing as this will need only less labour and good profit.
3. The Third Option would be to have 2 Acres of Fruit Crops, 1/2 Acres of Fish Rearing, 1/2 Acres for Poultry, Goat & Cows, 1 Acre for Timber Value Trees and 1 Acre for Paddy(This is basically for your own food and the straw for your domestic animals). You can go for SRI method of Paddy cultivation and you can use machines for harvesting.

Let me know how it works for you.

Regards

 

[padmanabhan_ganesan]

3. The Third Option would be to have 2 Acres of Fruit Crops, 1/2 Acres of Fish Rearing, 1/2 Acres for Poultry, Goat & Cows, 1/2 Acres of Vegetable Crops, 1/2 Acre for Timber Value Trees and 1 Acre for Paddy(This is basically for your own food and the straw for your domestic animals). You can go for SRI method of Paddy cultivation and you can use machines for harvesting.

 

[beekay]

3. The Third Option would be to have 2 Acres of Fruit Crops, 1/2 Acres of Fish Rearing, 1/2 Acres for Poultry, Goat & Cows, 1/2 Acres of Vegetable Crops, 1/2 Acre for Timber Value Trees and 1 Acre for Paddy(This is basically for your own food and the straw for your domestic animals). You can go for SRI method of Paddy cultivation and you can use machines for harvesting.

Dear Mr Ganesan,
You sound wise. Thanks for your suggestions. What types of fruit and timber trees would you recommend for TN climate? I haven't heard of any fish farming in a farmland in our area (about 20km from Pondicherry).

 

[padmanabhan_ganesan]

Dear beekay,

Fruit Trees
========
1.Mango
2.Chickoo
3.Guava
4.Amla
5.Acid Lime
6.Lemon
7.Sweet Orange
8.Jackfruit
9.Pomegranate
10.Papaya

Note:
Option 1. Please understand your local market and see what sells there and accordingly plan.
Option 2. Go against the tide and grow the varieties which are not available in the market and make huge profits (this involves huge risk as well)

Timber Trees
=========
Ailanthus Excelsa
Melia Dubia
Kaya Senegalensis
Anthocephalus Cadamba
Alstronia Scholaris
Albizia richardiana
Acrocarpus Fraxinifolius
Casuarina junghuniana
Gmelina Arborea
Grewia Tiliaefolila
Tectona Grandis
Pterocarpus Santalinus
Pterocarpus Marsupium
Santalum Album
Swietenia Macrophylla
Swietenia Mahogany
Haldinia Cardifolia
Dalbergia Latifolia
Albizia falcataria

Note: I have given a list of Timber Value Trees but you should choose wisely depending on the maturity of the trees. Some may vary from 3 years to 20 years.

Fish Farming
=========
1.Catla & Silver Carp
2.Rohu & Grass Carp
3.Mrigal & Common Carp

Note: Go to KVK and ask for those who are doing Fish Farming in your Dist. Visit them and understand on how to go about further.
Start with CARP varieties and enhance to other varieties like Murrel, Catfish & Barramuda once you get experienced.

Regards

Dear Mr Ganesan,
You sound wise. Thanks for your suggestions. What types of fruit and timber trees would you recommend for TN climate? I haven't heard of any fish farming in a farmland in our area (about 20km from Pondicherry).