Aloe veras are becoming increasingly popular as the demand for them is growing due to their medicinal properties. If you’re interested in starting an aloe veras plantation business, then here is a detailed business plan for you.
Aloe Vera is an evergreen plant that grows in warm climates. They are often grown in greenhouses and conservatories. Aloe Vera is also called Aloe barb adenosis. Aloe Vera is not only used medicinally but also commercially.
It is an important and traditional herbal remedy. Aloe vera (also known as aloe) is a hardy perennial from the succulent family.
The majority of these plants are produced in China, the USA, Mexico, Australia, and some Latin American countries.
There are several different types of aloes. One common name for them is Cape aloe.
Economic Importance of Aloe Vera Farming
Aloe vera farms are not only profitable but they contain a mixture of glucoside compounds collectively known as ‘aloin’. They are the active constituents of the drugs.
Aloe vera and its gel are widely known as the best natural remedy for burns, cuts, sunburns, insect bites, and minor wounds. It helps heal wounds quickly and reduces scarring. It is also effective against fungal infections and can prevent them. Aloe vera contains a number of compounds that help reduce inflammation and promote healing. It is often recommended for people who suffer from sunburn.
Aloe vera is known for its ability to treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It is also useful in treating burns, wounds, ulcers, and insect bites. Finally, aloe vera is often added to foods and beverages because of its soothing properties.
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Aloe veras are widely cultivated for its medicinal properties. They’re also used as houseplants and decorative plants. Because they’re so valuable, aloe veras are highly profitable.
Health Benefits of Aloe Vera
- Aloe vera helps cleanse toxins from the body.
- It helps support the immune system.
- It also lowers cholesterol and improves glucose tolerance.
- Aloe veras are good for treating skin conditions and cosmetics.
- Aloe vera contains lots of nutrients including amino acids and fatty acids.
- It’s good for your digestive system.
- Aloe vera is one of the easiest ways to increase your daily vitamin and mineral intake.
Things To Consider in Commercial Aloe Vera Cultivation
- First, figure out how much land you have available for growing aloe plants.
- Second, figure out the cost of inputs (capital investment).
- Figure out who would buy your product.
- Find out if the agroclimatic conditions are suitable for growing aloe vera.
- Take soil samples. You need to take soil samples.
- Finally, arrange for proper irrigation, manure, fertilizer, and pest control inputs.
Improved varieties For Aloe Vera Farming
Commercially significant sub-species include Aloe Barbadensis, Aloe Chinesis, Aloe Perfoliatas, Aloe Vulgaris, Aloe Indica, Aloe Littoralis, and Aloe Abyssinica. You may also come across various cultivars such as IC111270, IC111272, IC111274, etc. from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Ideal Location & Agro Climatic Condition for Aloe Vera Cultivation
Aloe vera is an evergreen succulent plant native to Africa. Its leaves contain soothing compounds called aloesin and aloetic acid, which help relieve sunburns and skin irritations. It also contains vitamins A, B1, C, D, E, and K, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, and nitrogen.
These nutrients are essential for healthy growth. It grows best in full sunlight and requires little water.
Suitable Soil For Aloe Vera Cultivation
First off, you should know that growing your own plants requires much more work than buying them at the store. You’ll need to get seeds, soil, fertilizer, and possibly pots if you’re starting out. Once you’ve got everything set up, though, you just need to keep an eye on things and make sure they’re getting enough sunlight and water.
Fertile soil conditions are best for growing corn. On average, corn needs a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.8. It thrives when grown in well-drained, light to moderately moist loamy soil. Corn is most productive when its leaves are at least 20 inches long.
Read: Does soil testing matter in agriculture?
Aloe Vera Farming Basic Steps
1. Soil Preparation
Before planting seeds, you first need to prepare the soil by plowing and cultivating it thoroughly. You can then add farmyard manures appropriately. Finally, you can use the ridge and furrow technique for planting.
2. Irrigation
You can cultivate the plant both under irrigating and rainfed conditions. Providing immediate watering after planting and during the hot season will help ensure high yields. But be careful not to waterlog the soil.
3. Manuring
The crop responds well to the application of farmyard manure and compost. In the first season of planting, you may add 15t/hectare of FYM during plowing and harrowing. After that, you can add 50kg/hectare of NPK fertilizer (N: P: K) as the base dose. You can also add 50% of the total amount of FYM and 50% of the total NPK fertilizers per hectare every season.
4. Weed Control
You must keep removing the weeds from your cultivated land regularly. Generally, you can accomplish this by hand. In subsequent seasons, two weeding and hoeing sessions per season are enough to significantly reduce the weed populations.
To create an environment conducive to healthy plant growth, you need to perform certain types of activities, like digging holes, grounding up, etc., in aloe plantations.
5. Plant Protection
The fungus-causing leaf spots are common in aloe plants. It affects the plant’s yields and the quality of the gel negatively. You can control the problem by applying fungicide sprays.
Harvesting & Yield In Aloe Vera Farming
When the leaves begin to grow, they should be harvested every three weeks. They may regrow after being cut off. The best time to pick them is early in the morning or late at night. Don’t wait until they get too big because then they will be harder to handle.
You can plant the seeds up to five years after sowing. Apart from the main shoots, the lateral shoots (suckering), which can be used for planting, can also be sold at a good price.
Yields may range between 50 -55 tonnes per hectare, but a conservative estimate would be 40t/ha. You can sell sucker fruits from about 60 percent of the plants annually.
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