If you’re looking for a detailed guide on starting a profitable commercial pineapple farm, then read on!
The scientific name of pineapple is Ananas comosa. And it belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. Generally in tropical climate zone, it is an important fruit crop. Generally, in the tropical climatic zone, it requires high rainfall and a humid environment. But you can grow pineapple commercially in the interior plain with medium rainfall and supplementary protective irrigation.
Pineapple is produced worldwide by many different countries. In India, Assamese, Meghalayan, Tripuri, Mizo, West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka produce most of the world’s supply.
Commercial pineapples require large amounts of space and an adequate water supply. Additionally, they need to be protected from pests. In this business, there is potential for high returns and fast paybacks.
Economic Importance of Pineapple Farming
Pineapple is currently the third most important commercial tropical crop after bananas and oranges. It is also an important plant for intercropping, canned foods, and fresh pineapple consumption.
Furthermore, it contributes to approximately 20 percent of the global production of tropical fruits.
Pineapple is used for the production of alcohol, medicine, and gardening. It is grown in the United Arab Emirates, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
Health Benefits of Pineapples
- Pineapple can help treat gastrointestinal problems, including sluggish digestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and others.
- Pineapple can help relieve joint pain caused by arthritis.
- Pineapples are good for treating hay fever, and they’re also helpful for speeding up the healing of burned skin.
- Pineapples are a good source of vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and are rich in vitamin E.
- Bromelains are a type of plant protein that helps digestion.
- Pineapple contains antioxidants that help prevent oral cancers. It also strengthens gingivitis and tooth enamel.
Selecting Location for Pineapple Farming
Pineapples are tropical crops grown mainly in the humid tropics. They thrive best when they get plenty of rain but don’t freeze at night.
The optimum growing temperatures for lettuce are 20–30 degrees Celsius during the daytime and 15–20 degrees Celsius at nighttime.
Lettuce grows better at higher temperatures, so if your garden gets too hot during the summer months, consider moving your plants inside. During wintertime, keep your garden around 10 degrees cooler than outside temperatures.
Pineapple plants require an average temperature between 15°C and 25°C (59°F – 77°F) throughout the year. They also require good drainage and high humidity levels. During the rainy seasons, they should receive supplemental irrigation.
Suitable Soil for Pineapple Farming
The plants grow well in almost every kind of garden. They do best in sandy loams, but they can also survive in heavier clays if the drainage is good.
The plants require an average amount of fertilizer, so add about 1/2 teaspoon of 10-10-10 per gallon of potting mix. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight during hot weather; otherwise, the leaves may burn.
You can mulch around the base of the plant with wood chips or grass cuttings to keep weeds down.
If you want to start a soil testing service business, read this guide.
Best Varieties for Pineapple Farming
Choosing the right type of pineapple is one of the most important aspects of setting up a successful pineapple plantation. Several types of pineapples are available for commercial growing.
Kew:
It is a large commercial variety grown especially for canning. Its size ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 kg. The shape is oblong and tapers slightly towards the top. When fully ripe, its color changes to yellow.
Giant Kew:
Actually, the variety Kew is synonymous with except for its size. It has smaller plants and fruits than Kew.
Charlotte Rothschild:
They’re similar in flavor and other characteristics to that of Kew apples.
Queen:
It has large, firm, sweet, juicy fruit. When ripe, its skin turns from greenish-yellow to bright orange. It weighs between 1.5 and 2 kilograms per fruit. Its eyes require a thicker slice when peeling them off the stem.
Mauritius:
It has large, bright yellow fruits which are oblong, fibrosus, and medium sweet. They’re ideal for eating out of hand.
Jaldhup and Lakhat:
They’re both parts of the Queen family, but they’re quite different from each other. One is sweet, one is sour, and one is slightly alcoholic.
Pineapple Farming Basic Steps
a) Propagation
However, the performance of the crop also varies depending on the variety and age of the seedlings. Apart from these factors, the performance of the crops also varies due to soil conditions, weather conditions, and seasons.
If you grow plants from seed using materials of various types and sizes, it may result in low rates of plant establishment, uneven plant development, uneven flowering, and harvest stretching over a long period.
Thus, it is always advisable that you select a uniform-sized material with a monotypic variety.
b) Planting
It is essential to set out plants at the right time, but the exact planting date varies depending on where you live. If the plant does not reach its optimal physiological maturation by then, it may escape flowering the next year or if flowering is forced, the plant produces very small fruit.
Therefore, the best timing for sowing depends on where you live and when the monsoons begin. It usually starts in December and ends in March.
For mild to moderate climates, a planting distance of 63,400 trees per hectare (22.5 m x 60 m x 75 m), planted 25 mm apart within rows, 60 mm between rows, and 90 mm between trenches provides an optimal tree size.
For hot and humid environments, a planting distance of 53,300 trees per hectare (25 m x 60 m x 90 m) spaced at 25 mm apart within each line, 60 mm between lines, and 90 mm between rows provides a high-yielding tree size.
c) Manuring
If you want to grow pineapples successfully, you need to know where they grow best and whether there are any nutrients needed for their growth. You can then fertilize them before planting.
d) Intercultural Activity
There are several important intercultural activities. Earthing up, weeding, mulching, and removing sucker, slip, and crowns are some of them.
Earthing up is an important operation for pineapple cultivation. Pushing the soil into the trenches from the ridges, it helps anchor the plant roots well.
You may want to use black plastic instead of white plastic when using mulch. Paddy straw works well for growing grass but isn’t good for growing plants.
e) Irrigation
Pineapples are grown in tropical regions where they receive ample rainfall throughout the year. They require supplemental water if grown in dry climates. Picking fruit early in the morning before sunrise helps avoid damage caused by high humidity levels.
f) Harvesting, Yield & Post Pineapple Harvest Management<
Pineapples take about 2 years to grow from seedlings to fully ripe fruit. If they don’t start growing well right away, you may not be able to harvest them for several years.
Pineapples can be grown successfully in tropical climates throughout the world. They require warm temperatures for their best production.
An average pineapple yields between 50 and 80 tonnes/ha. The per-acre yields vary depending on the planting densities and cultivation techniques. A five-year economic lifespan is typical for a new plantation.
For preserving purposes, you can harvest the fruit when it has developed a light green color. However, if you want to eat them fresh, you must wait until they turn golden yellow. You can keep the fruit with its crown intact for 10-15 days before eating it.
h) What is the Cost of Starting a Pineapple Farm?
Pineapple farmers must invest between $10,000 and $15,000 per hectare (about 2 acres) for their crops.
Pineapple farming is one of the most lucrative businesses out there. You can increase profits by offering added-values products.
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