Plantation

Touring a Rich Indian Farm (Multi Crop Plantation) - Part 1

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• published: 22 Jun 2015
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We explore this opulent 30 year old farm (plantation) in India where Areca Nut is the main crop, and also explain companion crops like Cardamom, Coffee, Cocoa and Pineapple. This Areca Nut (Betel Nut) Plantation is in Shringeri, Karnataka - India. Shringeri is a hill town located in Chikkamagaluru district in the South Indian state of Karnataka. ABOUT SHRINGERI -- Shringeri belongs to Malenadu range of forest in India. The hills of Malenadu are richly forested, coffee and Areca nut are grown in many places. This forest range receives plenty of rain throughout the year and moderate to high sun shine during summer. Under the Köppen system of climate classification that is classified as a tropical monsoon climate. ARECA BUT/BETEL NUT -- Areca Nut/Betel Nut is the main crop in this plantation/farm. Here It is intermixed Cardamom, Coffee and Vanilla which don't affect the main crop Areca Nut. Since Shringeri is most of the year moderate temperature (20 - 25 Degree Centigrade) with good rain fall. Areca Nut grows here very well. The Areca Nut trees here are at least 10 years old, and have matured well enough and giving high yield. The Areca nut is the seed of the Areca palm, which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut, as it is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves. Areca nut is capable of growing in a variety of soils. CARDAMOM -- Cardamom is grown along with Areca Nut here and its also one of the main crop here. Cardamom needs low to moderate (20 - 30 Degree Centigrade) temperature and high moisture environment for its growth. Cardamom is planted beneath Areca Nut tree, so that the optimal temperature is maintained and also to avoid direct sun light. Cardamom is known as "Queen of Spice" and is used in various cuisines for flavoring material and spice. COFFEE -- Coffee is also one of the companion crop in this plantation. Coffee as with Cardamom prefers bright but indirect sunlight, so its grown below the Areca Nut trees to protect against harsh sun light. Coffee tree needs the soil to stay moist and temperature should be moderate. It takes 3 to 5 years for Coffee to mature and to flower. The flowering is seasonal, Coffee beans are harvested and first stage of processing is done here only. The Coffee beans from Malenadu region is famous throughout India. COCOA -- Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a tropical tree crop originating from the Amazon basin, Its also one more companion crop grown here. As with all the above mentioned plants mentioned above, Cocoa need good shaded environment to grow. Good shading which protects it from direct sunlight is very much essential for Cocoa. The soil should be moist and well drained to grow them. PINEAPPLE -- Pineapple is not a cultivated in this plantation, it is just grown as a boundary plant. That does not mean its not important, it is used for house hold purpose and as everyone knows Pineapples are delicious and very good source of Vitamin - C and Manganese. There is lot of other plants which we still need to explore, which we will see in the Part 2 of this Video. I have a Terrace Garden and I have also grown Papaya, Sugar Apple, Coriander, Mint (Pudina), Ladies Finger (okra), Bitter gourd, Musk Melon, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Spinach (Palak), Egg Plant (Brinjal), Amaranthus, Hyacinth (Lablab), Spring onions, Ash Gourd (Winter Melon) and different type of flowers in our Terrace Garden. Happy Gardening :) Touring a Rich Indian Farm (Multi Crop Plantation) - PART 2 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6aSTkAZ2k -- AUDIO CREDITS -- "New Land" By Albis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O6AHtX_8s8 "Keep Dreaming" By Topher Mohr and Alex Elena - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd_si6WwsOU