Article Mr. M K Shajath Ali - Organic Moringa cultivator from Tamil Nadu

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After having worked for around 15 years in the Customs and Central Excise section, I decided to work for myself. When I came across organic cultivation, I studied it for 2-3 years.

Today, I have my 3 acre organic farm at Salem. I am practising organic cultivation for the past 2 years. I have Moringa and coconut on my farm. Coconut was already there and I planted Moringa saplings 2 years back.

When I have discussions with fellow farmers in the same district, I understand that they do not do organic cultivation. In my experience, I get 100% yield. For instance, if I take 1000 pieces of vegetables, I see only 1 or 2 getting wasted unlike in inorganic cultivation where they have around 300 pieces wasted in a batch of 1000. This waste is then fed to animals. I believe organic cultivation helps reduce production cost and increase income by saving wastage and I am highly satisfied.

I am a member of a farmers’ WhatsApp group, which is followed by the Agricultural Department engineers. They keep updating about what's new in the organic sector. Also, if I have any issues that I am not sure how to deal with, I use this WhatsApp group as a media to get it resolved.

Organic methodology gives us a lot of control over pests. Also, water is the major problem everywhere. Now, we have heavy rains but this was not the case 2-3 months back. Even last year we supplied water worth Rs 30,000/-

I have come to realise that even if you don’t water Moringa trees for one year and restart your irrigation next year, it still springs back into action.

For humans, particularly in India, the time has come to consume organic food.


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Can we hear about the cultivation methodology you have adopted?

There are two types of cultivation methods - we can either use Moringa seeds or seedlings. I use seedlings.

Again, there are two types of seedlings - cuttings (the branches are cut and planted) and air layering (single stem at a place).

The difference is you get returns within 6 months using air layering method and the life of a plant cultivated this way is minimum 10 years.

Also, if cultivated using the seed, the plant will have a single root. But the air layering method gives the plant multiple roots. So, the sustainability of the plant goes high.

Where do you market your produce?

The scope of marketing is high for Moringa. There are so many things like Moringa leaves, Moringa oil etc.

Moringa oil is great for your nerves. If you consume it for 40-50 days you can cure issues related to nerves.

Compared to other countries, I heard that per kg of Moringa or Moringa leaves is about Rs 1000 in Indian currency. If you get an export order, it will prove to be more profitable.

I market my produce directly at the Salem market. Salem is about 15 kms from my farm. I get 2 harvests in a year. The harvest goes for 2-3 months. Initially, I used to take the produce thrice a week. In one month, I take the produce every alternate day.

In agriculture, marketing is the main criteria. Anybody can produce anything but it is equally important to make an income out of your products. Instead of giving it to the retailers or wholesalers, if we give it directly to the end user, we get huge profit. So, I skip wholesalers and retailers. In this way, I make more profits.

For example, in a particular season, I sell the Moringa for Rs 30 - Rs 40 in the market. A buyer coming directly to my farm, is ready to pay only Rs 20/- That way I tend to lose Rs 10 per kg. So, you can make 25% more profit by marketing your produce directly.

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What is your future plans?

I have big plans. I was searching for a larger plot of land and I acquired one recently. I do mono-crop farming right now. I am planning for an integrated farm on the larger piece of land.

I have undergone a 7 days training programme with Mr Subash Palekar, in Mysore. I travelled with Mr Palekar up to Maharashtra when he visited 2-3 farms where they follow his system, which is zero budget agriculture. According to him, we should not spend a single paisa for the agricultural inputs. The inputs should be produced in the farm itself. Following this 100% may be difficult; but we can achieve at least 50% and possibly work our way upwards.

I manufacture about 3 farm inputs on my own:

1. For best flowering I use a mixture called Theymoor Karaisal in Tamil. I mix equal quantities of coconut milk and buttermilk and keep it in a mud pot for 7 days. This should be sprayed on crops twice every season. This activity will ensure huge flowers and prevents flower drop.

2. Next one is called Meen Amilam (fish Acid) in Tamil . This employs the waste of fish, which you can get free of cost from the fish market. Add 50% jaggery and store it for 3 days and keep it for 50-70 days. During the initial 3 days the odour is quite bad, after 50-70 days, it doesn't smell bad.

3. Then, I apply a spray comprising of 5 leaves - neem, pongamalya, seethaphal, aadathodai (Malabar nut) and one more leaf. I cut it into small pieces, mix it with water and keep it for a few days. I add around 1/2 litre per sprayer of 10 litre capacity. This mixture controls pest.

Coming back to my future plan. I am planning for a multi-layer agricultural farm. If we have a single crop, the yield and hence income will not be consistent. If I have multiple trees like pomegranate, amla, etc. I can have a more consistent income flow. The trick is to have a fruit for every season from your farm.

How much acreage is required to make Moringa plantation commercially viable?

You need a minimum of 1 acre. The export market has a huge demand for Moringa. If you target the export market, 1 acre won’t be sufficient. But if your target is the Indian market, one or two acres alone is advisable.

For Moringa there is a standard market - you cannot sell the leaves as it is. You have to have value added products. Dried leaves has a good market.

The demand for dried Moringa leaves is quite less in India due to lack of awareness. From Tamil Nadu we send Moringa to Gujrat Bihar etc. You can grow Moringa in any number of acres. In the last season, the price was quite less. So, I have taken the seed and stored it.

In any case, one should not depend on a single buyer. For marketing one should always have multiple buyers. You should always have alternatives.

You can store the seed for any number of years. There is no standard demand for seed. When there is a demand for it, you can sell it at a good price. Also, you can take oil from the seed.

These are the emerging markets and we have to create awareness in the market about its benefits. So, Moringa is definitely advisable because there is plenty of potential. Don’t just aim at the leaves alone.

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Does it grow in Thally?

No, it is not advisable. Moringa does not require a very healthy soil to thrive. Any type of soil can be used.

One thing is that the land cost at Thally is 20-30 lakhs. Also, Moringa requires heavy sunlight. It will grow but you cannot expect maximum output from the plant when grown in that area.

Do you have any economical record that you have prepared for the Moringa cultivation - from seeds to fertilization etc.?

I don’t have such kind of statistics with me.

I give a 12ft gap between trees. Once it is 2 years old; next season, I will prune it. So, every 2 years, since I prune it, 12ft space is good. Some people give 20ft. I think that is waste of land.

You can do intercropping, I saw a unit in Tamil Nadu. They intercrop dragon fruit, which is a produce that gives good returns and health benefits. Also, for these fruits the competition is quite less so it can be easily marketed.

Is Moringa suitable for places like the Western Ghats where there is excess rain?

This crop cannot handle water logging; so may not be advisable to plant Moringa in the Western Ghats. Alternatively, you should employ good water drainage facilities.

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Briefly, what is the economics of it all per acre?

One should remember that trees are not machines. So, don't expect it to work the way you fancy.

If a particular tree gives 200 Moringas this year, it may produce only 50 Moringas next year. But anyhow, on an average, with the 4 harvests that I have done, I see my production increasing each harvest. So, it is definitely a profitable crop.

When it comes to spending on farm inputs you need to keep it minimum. I spray the required liquids, supply water, harvest with the help of a few labourers, I take my yield to the market; so, I have kept labour involvement at a minimum.

Moringa is not a complicated crop, it is quite simple to cultivate.

I keep my expenses less, which makes my profit higher. Like I mentioned before, I produce the farm inputs in my farm itself and hence, spend zero amount on inputs. For me, the cost factor is only in terms of the time I spend to do this. So, 90% of my returns gets converted into my income.

Expenses for my 2 and half acre farm have come up to about Rs 10,000/- for the entire season and my returns were about Rs 90,000/- to 1,00,000. This is in 6 months. Next season, it will increase. It also depends on the season, if the price of Moringa goes up, my profit will also go up.

I see many articles getting published which claims that you can make 6 lakhs form 1 acre etc. In my experience that is not true.

What is your marketing strategy?

I only sell the Moringa vegetable. You should know that you cannot take off the leaves and the Moringa from a tree. If you take the leaves, the Moringa production will fall. So, if you plan on marketing leaves as well, it is best to have separate trees - one set to market fruits and another to markets leaves.

If you still do not have a farm, try establishing a farm that is maximum 1 hour journey to the market. Also, I take the produce to the market myself. These things will keep your expenses low.

Is it true that the dried and powdered Moringa seeds also have good market value?

Honestly, right now the market is good only for dried Moringa leaves. Dried Moringa actually contains more vitamins, but we need to create a market for it because at present the awareness about it is low.

Is there anything you would like to add, Mr Ali, before we conclude?

I am currently at Salem. I know that there is a demand for organic products and farmers are ready to go organic as well. But there is a gap which needs to be bridged. Very soon, I am planning to organize a get together for all the organic farmers in the Salem district so that there can be healthy discussions and networking.

Gaining in-depth knowledge of what you are planning to venture into, understanding your crop, its demand and its needs, spending as less as possible on farm inputs goes a long way in being successful in agriculture.

Contact :

M K Shajath Ali
Muslim street
OMALOOR-636012
Tamil Nadu
Email: shajath@gmail.com
Mob: 9698816786
 

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