Carrot Farming in India – Varieties & Step-by-Step Cultivation Process
Carrots are an important root crop cultivated all over the world for their freshly edible roots. Carrot farming is done in spring, summer, and autumn in temperate climate countries and in the winter season in tropical and subtropical areas. In this blog, we will discuss the popular carrot varieties and the step-by-step cultivation process of carrots in India.
Table of Contents
- An Overview of Carrot
- Which are the Popular Carrot Varieties in India?
- Which are the Top Carrot Producing States in India?
- What is the Step-by-Step Process for Carrot Cultivation in India?
An Overview of Carrot
Carrot is a significant horticultural crop with high international recognition and economic value. It is a root vegetable, grown, distributed and consumed worldwide. Carrot is a biennial plant of the Apiaceae family that generates an edible taproot. The root shapes of common varieties of carrots range from globular to long, with lower ends blunt to pointed. It is a quick-growing crop rich in carotene, a precursor to vitamin A and consists of appreciable quantities of riboflavin and thiamine. Carrots require cool to moderate temperatures and are not cultivated in summer seasons in warmer regions.
Which are the Popular Carrot Varieties in India?
The popular carrot varieties differ from hilly to plain areas.
In hilly regions, the popular carrot varieties are:
- Ooty-1
- Early Nantes
- New Koroda
In plains areas, the popular carrot varieties are:
- India Gold
- Pusa Kesar
- Half Long Danvers
Which are the Top Carrot Producing States in India?
According to the data published by Horticulture Statistics at a glance, the total carrot production in India in 2020-21 is around 1884.56 thousand MT. Haryana is the largest producer of carrots in India, followed by West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Let's discuss the total production in the top five states in the table below:
|
State Name |
Production (in thousand MT) |
|
Haryana |
337.43 |
|
West Bengal |
247.89 |
|
Punjab |
224.74 |
|
Madhya Pradesh |
174.21 |
|
Uttar Pradesh |
173.49 |
What is the Step-by-Step Process for Carrot Cultivation in India?
The cultivation process of carrots in India involves several steps, including soil & climate requirements, planting season, land preparation, sowing, irrigation, manures & fertilizers, after cultivation, plant protection measures, and harvesting & yield. Let's discuss each step in detail:
Soil and Climate Requirements
Carrots are a winter season crop and generate good colour when grown at 15°C to 20°C. A loose loamy soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 is best suited for the ideal cultivation of carrots.
Planting Season
In hilly areas with an elevation above 1500 meters, carrots can be cultivated throughout the year under assured irrigation. Carrot growing time is from July to February at elevations between 1000 and 1500 meters. In plain regions, the carrot season in India starts during the month of August.
Land Preparation
In hilly regions, land is prepared to a fine tilth and raised beds are formed with dimensions of one meter breadth and convenient length. In plain regions, land is ploughed twice, and ridges and furrows are formed at a spacing of 30 cm.
Sowing
The seed rate of carrots should be around 4 kg per hectare. The rows should be made with a spacing of 25 to 30 cm apart. The seeds should be mixed with sand (one part of seed and 4 parts of sand) before sowing. Seeds are sown within the line, and thinning is done to maintain the desirable distance. Thinning is performed to offer proper space (5-10 cm for seedlings) at the early stage of growth.
Irrigation
Irrigation should be provided once every five days. During the drought period, beds should be covered with wet gunny bags after providing irrigation in the evening. It prevents excessive water loss during sunny days and helps improve seed germination.
Manures & Fertilizers
Green mauring with lupin should be applied 60 days before planting. After that, it is recommended to apply 30 tons per hectare of FYM and 90:90:90 kg per hectare of NPK as a basal dose and 45:45:45 kg per hectare of NPK after 45 days of sowing. 25 kg of ZnSO4 per hectare should also be applied as basal.
After Cultivation
Spraying 1 litre of Fluchloralin a.i. per hectare immediately after sowing the seeds can help control weeds. The first weeding should be done on the 15th day of plantation. On the 30th day, thinning and earthing up should be provided.
Plant Protection Measures
Carrots are not affected by pests. However, some diseases, such as leaf spots, can be controlled by spraying Mancozeb at 2 grams per litre. Additionally, applying neem cake @ one ton per hectare during sowing can control root knot nematode.
Harvesting & Yield
When the roots' diameter is 2 to 4 cm at the upper end, they attain marketable stage. Before harvesting, light irrigation should be provided, ensuring roots can be pulled out without any damage. The yield varies from 20 to 25 tons per hectare depending upon the variety and season.
Frequently Asked Questions On Carrot Farming in India
1. How long do carrots take to grow?
Carrots take around 55 to 100 days to grow, with harvesting time depending on the growing conditions and variety.
2. Which month is best for carrot farming?
The best time for sowing carrots is around August to September.
3. What is the best way to farm carrots?
The best way to farm carrots is to sow their seeds by mixing them with sand (one part of seed with 4 parts of sand).
4. Do carrots need a lot of water?
Carrots do not require moisture to grow; however, irrigation is required in warmer climates or during a long dry spell.
5. What is the best fertilizer for carrots?
FYM and NPK are among the best fertilizer for carrots.
6. How many carrots will I get from one plant?
You will get one carrot from one carrot plant.
7. How many times can you harvest carrots?
You can harvest carrots multiple times from similar planting throughout a single planting season.
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