Aloe Vera Farming in India: Cultivation, Care, and Harvest

Table of Content

• Introduction to Aloe Vera
• What are the Medicinal Benefits of Aloe Vera?
• Aloe Vera Farming in India
• Why is Aloe Vera Farming Beneficial in India?
• How To Make A Successful Aloe Vera Production?
  • Climate
  • Soil
  • Land Preparation
  • Planting of Aloe Vera
  • Irrigation
  • Interculture Operations
  • Fertilizer and Manuring
    • Organic Manuring
    • Basal NPK Fertilizer Application
    • Additional
  • Pest and Disease Control
    • Pest Control
    • Disease Control
    • Management
  • Harvesting and Yield

Introduction to Aloe Vera  

Aloe Vera is one of the world's oldest medicinal plants recorded in history. The first human use of the Aloe Vera plant was recorded in Sumerian hieroglyphics circa 2200 BC. Egyptians also used it extensively, describing it as a medicinal plant having properties to treat both external and internal illnesses. Aloe vera is a plant that has a combination of glucosides known as 'aloin'. Aloin, a gel compound found in the plant, is great for the skin since it has a cooling and moisturizing effect, making it great for creams and lotions. The plant also contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, Folic Acid, and Niacin. Aloe vera-based medicines are used to treat burns, sunburn, and many other skin illnesses such as eczema, pruritus, psoriasis, and acne.

What are the Medicinal Benefits of Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is a plant commonly used to treat dermatological and wound-healing conditions. Aloe leaf products offer a variety of qualities, including emollient, purgative, antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibiotic, and cosmetic effects. Following are some of the top medical benefits of aloe vera:

For Minor Burns: Aloe vera’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for treating burns. It can help skin heal faster and reduce redness and itching. Aloe also helps prevent burns from getting infected.

To prevent Acne: Acne is often caused when dead skin cells clog up pores. Since Aloe has anti-bacterial properties, it works best for skin inflammatory issues.

To control Cholesterol:  This plant extract can potentially reduce dangerous low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing heart-healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

For treating Constipation: Aloe vera contains barb-aloin, which has laxative qualities. Barbaloin raises the quantity of water in the intestine, which could make digestion easier.

Aloe Vera Farming in India

India is the world's largest producer of aloe vera. The Aloe Vera industry was worth USD 190 million (1,200 Crore) as per the FarmAtma report published three years back. As the number of health-conscious consumers is increasing, it's driving up the demand for aloe vera products. Many cosmetic firms are incorporating aloe ingredients into their products in response to consumer demand for natural alternatives.

Aloe vera cultivation is a major source of income for many Indian farmers. The aloe vera farming profit per acre is significantly higher than that of other agricultural farming. Because it is a desert plant, some Indian states have ideal climatic conditions for cultivating it. Some of the key states responsible for major aloe vera production are Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.

Why is Aloe Vera Farming Beneficial in India?

Aloe vera farming is one of the most profitable agricultural ventures due to its minimal maintenance and high demand. Here are some top reasons why aloe vera farming can be profitable for farmers:

• Low input costs.
• High demand due to its use in the ayurvedic, food, cosmetic, and pharma sectors.
• Affordable setup and maintenance.
• Minimal requirement of water.
• Multiple harvests.
• Scope for value additions.

How To Make Successful Aloe Vera Production?

Aloe Vera is a more resilient plant, but it still requires proper care and conditioning to thrive in an agricultural environment. Hence, here are some of the steps you need to take to have a successful Aloe Vera farming production.

Climate

Aloe is a perennial tropical plant capable of growing in a variety of weather conditions. It can grow anywhere in India, even in areas where there is persistent drought. The plant grows best on dry sandy soils in areas with low annual rainfall of 50 to 300 mm. The temperature required to grow the plant is 25-40°C. However, it does require shelter from frost and low winter temperatures. Because of its low water requirements, it is usually grown in arid and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Soil

Aloe vera plant can survive in a vast range of soil variations, from sandy coastal soils to loamy plain soils. The plants are able to survive high soil PH and high potassium and sodium salt levels. It is susceptible to waterlogged conditions. In central India, black cotton soil has been observed to be suitable for aloe vera growth. Commercial cultivation requires well-drained loam soils to coarse sandy loam soils with pH values of up to 8.5.

Land Preparation

Start by ploughing the land 2-3 times, then level it. Make sure the field has a gentle slope for proper water drainage and a good source of irrigation. Because aloe roots do not penetrate deeper than 20-30 cm, till the soil well to a fine tilth. To improve soil fertility, add 10-15 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare (or around 6 tonnes per acre of well-decomposed cow dung) during the final ploughing. Next, create ridges and furrows 45-60 cm apart, then plant suckers at 30-40 cm intervals. If necessary, water the land to ensure that the aloe vera plantation receives adequate moisture.

Planting of Aloe Vera

During planting, you can either use Root suckers or Rhizome Cuttings of the Aloe plant. In Aloe plants, the rhizome is the underground stem that grows horizontally. It has nodes through which new shoots can form. If you’re going for rhizome propagation, dig out the underground rhizome and cut a piece that is 5-5.5 long. It should have at least 3 nods. These cuttings are rooted in sand beds or containers after their sprouting is ready for the plantation. To propagate by root suckers, remove them from the parent plant and place them 50×45 cm apart in rows. Two-thirds of the aloe plant must be underground. The soil around the suckers should be firmly pressed to prevent water lodging. On average, about 36,500 suckers are necessary for a nursery of 1 ha size (14550 for a 1-acre nursery).

Irrigation

Aloe vera plantation can be successfully grown in both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Irrigation shortly after planting and during the warm season will ensure high yields. The first irrigation needs to happen immediately following the planting of root suckers. Overwatering plants can lead to waterlogging in the field, further destroying crops. During dry conditions, irrigation should be provided every 15 days. Irrigation is unnecessary during the rainy or humid season. However, during winter seasons, less irrigation can be provided to the crops. Remember to let the crops dry before watering them again. Drenching should be done before irrigation to allow any excess water to drain.

Interculture Operations

During the aloe vera cultivation process, it is essential to perform operations like spading, earthing, and so on to promote a healthy soil environment. During the development stage, the field should be cleaned on a regular basis and kept weed-free. Weeds should be pulled by hand at least two or three times per year, followed by gentle hoeing (tilling) of the soil. The initial weed removal and hoeing should be done a month after planting. Regularly inspect the plants and remove unhealthy plants or dead plants from the field.

Fertilizer and Manuring

Using fertilizers and organic manuring is an important step in the process of ensuring good growth and cultivation of crops.

Organic Manuring

Apply 15 tonnes per hectare (t/ha) of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) during land preparation, which is approximately 60–80 quintals per acre. For the subsequent year, continue applying the same FYM dosage annually.

Basal NPK Fertilizer Application

Rate: Use a balanced fertilizer at a ratio of 50:50:50 kg/ha, which is equivalent to roughly 20:20:20 kg/acre.

Per Acre Breakdown:

Urea: 44 kg (providing about 20 kg of nitrogen)

Super Phosphate (SSP): 125 kg (providing approximately 20 kg of phosphorus)

Muriate of Potash (MOP): 34 kg (providing about 20 kg of potash)

Additional

If available, apply a sufficient quantity of wood ash in the planting pits at the time of aloe vera planting to further enhance soil fertility. This way, you can be sure that your aloe crops receive a balanced supply of essential nutrients, promoting good growth and yield.

Pest and Disease Control

Pest Control

• Mealy Bug

Cause: Infestation by Lepidocephalus and Pseudococcus.

Symptoms: Leaves begin to yellow and wither.

Control Method: Apply 10 ml of Methyl parathion or 20 ml of Quinalphos in 10 litres of water. Treatment must be directed at both the roots and shoots of the plant

Disease Control

• Black Brown Leaf Spots

Characteristics: Appearance of reddish-brown spores in oval or elongated pustules on the leaves.

The disease develops quickly under conditions of free moisture and ambient temperatures around 20°C.

Management

Monitor moisture levels and environmental conditions to minimize rapid disease development

• Anthracnose

Symptoms: Causes dieback, twig cankers, blotches, defoliation, and shoot blight.

Control Method: Spraying with a 70% neem oil solution has proven effective in managing the disease.

Harvesting and Yield

Aloe vera can take 18-24 months (2 years) to fully grow. Harvesting can begin at 8 months. In one year, the plants produce yellow tubular flowers and fruit. It is harvestable four times a year. Cut 3-4 leaves from each plant. It takes around 2 to 5 years to provide an abundant crop for commercial use. Farmers often collect aloe leaves three to four times per year, depending on the aloe vera growth time. The leaves are plucked, and the broken rhizome is left in the soil to sprout again as a new plant.

On average, a hectare of non-irrigated crop yields 15-20 tonnes of aloe vera leaves, while an irrigated crop yields up to 30-35 tonnes of aloe vera leaves. Allow the freshly gathered plant to wilt and lose moisture in the field before shipping. Wilting typically appears within 24 to 72 hours. To avoid fermentation or mould growth, keep the plant dry and cool.