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The Golden Hen of Agriculture: How One Farmer is Earning Lakhs from Drumstick Farming
Is drumstick (Sahjan/Moringa) farming a loss-making venture? Many farmers believe so. They talk about high risks, unpredictable yields, and fluctuating market prices. But what if we told you there’s a farmer who calls it a “hen that lays golden eggs”? What if he is successfully cultivating it on 8 acres and has a 7-year track record to prove its profitability?
Today, we’re diving deep into the world of drumstick cultivation with Mr. Byraje Thekar, a pioneering farmer from Karade village in Pune, Maharashtra. He is shattering myths and demonstrating how, with the right knowledge and techniques, Sahjan farming can become a highly lucrative and sustainable source of income for over a decade.
This post is your complete guide, a masterclass built on Mr. Thekar’s hard-earned experience. We will uncover the entire lifecycle, from planting the first seed to calculating multi-lakh rupee profits, and reveal the secrets that separate a successful drumstick farm from a struggling one.
Why Do Farmers Fail? Unmasking the “Risk” in Drumstick Farming
The primary reason many farmers face losses is a lack of understanding of the crop’s specific needs. According to Mr. Thekar, the risk isn’t in the crop itself, but in the management.
“Unlike sugarcane or onion, which have a predictable timeline, drumstick farming is all about timing,” he explains. “The entire profitability depends on when you prune the trees, as this dictates when you get the flowering and, consequently, the harvest. Most people watch a video, plant the trees, and then just leave them. That’s where they go wrong.”
The key is to target the off-season market, particularly the rainy season when supply is low and prices are high. This requires precise management of the pruning and flowering cycle, a skill that many farmers haven’t yet mastered.
The Foundation of a Profitable Drumstick Farm
Before you even plant a seed, getting the basics right is crucial. Mr. Thekar’s 8-acre farm is a testament to meticulous planning.
1. Climate and Soil:
Drumsticks are resilient, but they have their preferences.
- Temperature: They thrive in temperatures between 25°C and 40°C. Higher heat actually encourages more flowering.
- Rainfall: The crop can grow in areas with moderate rainfall. However, regions with extremely heavy and continuous rainfall are risky, as excess water can cause flower drop, leading to zero yield.
- Soil: Avoid land where water stagnates or soil that has become barren due to excessive chemical use (often seen in old sugarcane fields). Hilly terrain and land suitable for crops like Jowar (sorghum) are excellent for drumstick cultivation.
2. The Right Variety: ODC-3
Mr. Thekar cultivates the ODC-3 variety, known for its desirable pod size (around 2 feet) and high yield. Unlike other varieties that can grow up to 4 feet, the ODC-3 is preferred in the Maharashtra market.
3. Land Preparation and Spacing: The Zigzag Formula
Proper spacing is non-negotiable for healthy growth and optimal yield.
- Row-to-Row Distance: A minimum of 12 feet.
- Plant-to-Plant Distance: 6 to 7 feet.
- Planting Pattern: Use a zigzag pattern, not a straight line. This ensures that no plant overshadows another, allowing each tree to receive adequate sunlight from all directions.
Following this 12×7 ft zigzag model, you can comfortably fit around 600-605 plants in a single acre. This spacing also leaves ample room for profitable intercropping.
From Seed to Harvest: A Step-by-Step Cultivation Guide
Mr. Thekar has refined his cultivation process over seven years. Here is his simplified, actionable guide.
Step 1: Planting the Seeds (The Right Way)
- Best Time to Plant: Post June 15th is ideal.
- Seed Treatment: The drumstick seed has a hard shell. To improve germination, soak the seeds in water for 3-4 hours before planting. You can add a mild fungicide or a bit of cow urine (Gomutra) to the water to prevent initial infections.
- Planting Method: Plant two seeds at each spot. This is a risk-mitigation strategy. If one fails to germinate or grows weak, you have a healthy backup. You can later remove the weaker seedling.
Step 2: The First Pruning – The Most Critical Step
This is where many farmers falter. Once the plant reaches a height of 2.5 to 3 feet, it must be pruned from the top.
- What to do: Simply cut off the top tip of the main stem.
- Why it’s crucial: This stops the plant from growing vertically and encourages it to develop strong, lateral branches. This creates a bushy, manageable tree structure and diverts all the plant’s energy into the branches that will bear fruit. Failure to do this results in a tall, lanky tree with fruit that is difficult to harvest.
Step 3: The 10-Year Cycle and Annual Pruning
One of the biggest advantages of drumstick farming is its longevity. A single planting can give you profitable yields for up to 10 years.
- First Harvest: After planting the seed, the first harvest begins in about 6 months and can continue for 2-3 months.
- Post-Harvest Pruning: After the first harvest cycle is complete (around the 8-month mark), the tree needs to be pruned again. This time, you cut back the fruit-bearing branches.
- The Rhythm: This cycle repeats. After each major pruning, the tree takes about 3 months to flower again, and the pods are ready for harvest 1.5 months after flowering. This allows for two harvest seasons per year.
Fertiliser and Water Management: Less is More
Mr. Thekar’s approach is surprisingly simple and cost-effective, relying heavily on organic inputs.
- First Month: For the first month after planting, give the plants nothing but water. Focus on root development.
- Post-One Month:
- Humic Acid: To promote strong root systems.
- NPK 19:19:19: A water-soluble fertilizer, given in very small doses (2 kg per acre) every 15-20 days.
- At 3 Months (After First Pruning):
- Farm Yard Manure (Gobar Khad): Apply one to two trolleys per acre in the pits around the plants. This is the main source of nutrition.
- 12:61:0: To encourage flowering after pruning.
- Granular Fertilizers (Optional): If needed, you can use 10:26:26 or 12:32:16 before flowering to improve fruit quality.
The Golden Rule of Watering: Mr. Thekar showed a live example on his farm. An area with a leaky drip pipe had lush, overgrown trees with almost no fruit. Just a few feet away, where water was controlled and minimal, the trees were loaded with drumsticks. The lesson is clear: drumsticks hate excess water. Keep the soil moisture low. Only provide more water during the sprouting phase immediately after pruning.
The Economics: A Detailed Profit Breakdown Per Acre
This is the most exciting part. Here’s a conservative, year-by-year calculation based on Mr. Thekar’s experience, assuming 550 productive plants out of 600.
- Year 1:
- Yield per plant: 10 kg (a conservative start for a new farmer)
- Total Yield: 550 plants x 10 kg = 5,500 kg (5.5 tons)
- Average Rate: ₹50/kg (Mr. Thekar has sold for over ₹300/kg, but we use a realistic average)
- Gross Income: 5,500 kg x ₹50 = ₹2,75,000
- Note: This is often quoted as ₹5 lakh, which is achievable with a higher average rate.
- Year 2:
- Yield per plant: 15 kg (as the tree matures and the farmer gains experience)
- Total Yield: 550 plants x 15 kg = 8,250 kg
- Average Rate: ₹80/kg (with better timing for high-demand periods)
- Gross Income: 8,250 kg x ₹80 = ₹6,60,000
- Year 3 and Beyond:
- Yield per plant: 25 kg (peak potential)
- Total Yield: 550 plants x 25 kg = 13,750 kg
- Average Rate: ₹100/kg
- Gross Income: 13,750 kg x ₹100 = ₹13,75,000
The initial investment is incredibly low. The main costs are seeds (₹3,000-₹4,000), drip irrigation (around ₹10,000), and manure. This makes the return on investment exceptionally high.
Beyond the Pod: Value Addition and Intercropping
The income doesn’t have to stop with fresh drumsticks.
- Value Addition: The leaves of the Moringa tree are a superfood. Mr. Thekar is already researching the production of leaf powder and tablets, which have a massive demand both domestically and internationally. Pickles are another popular by-product.
- Intercropping: The 12-foot gap between rows is perfect for earning extra income. You can grow short-duration crops (3-4 months) like onions, tindora (ivy gourd), marigolds, or certain varieties of gourds. Avoid long-duration crops like ginger or cotton, as their water and management needs will clash with the drumstick cycle.
Final Words of Wisdom from a Master Farmer
Before you jump into drumstick farming, heed Mr. Thekar’s final advice:
- Start Small: Don’t start with an entire acre. Plant 4-5 trees on the edge of your farm as a test plot. See if they grow well in your climate and soil. If 4 trees succeed, 4 acres can succeed.
- Learn, Then Earn: Don’t chase the numbers you see online. Focus on learning the techniques—especially pruning and water management.
- Work Hard: This is not a “plant and forget” crop. It requires attention, observation, and timely intervention.
Drumstick farming, when done right, is more than just a crop; it’s a long-term asset. It’s a low-investment, high-return venture that can provide a stable and handsome income for a decade. The story of Byraje Thekar proves that with knowledge, dedication, and a willingness to learn, the humble Sahjan tree can indeed become your farm’s golden goose.