Nishant KapoorCumin is a popular spice that is used in many dishes around the world. This spice has a warm, earthy flavour. People also add this to soups, curries, and even bread. People love cumin not just for its taste but also because it can help with digestion and is full of healthy vitamins. Cumin seeds are small, but they are packed with flavour.
India is the chief producer of cumin, although it is cultivated in Egypt and Iran. Cumin is planted in areas that are dry and bright sunny because that is where it does best. It is also a very favorable crop for farmers who wish to grow something that uses less irrigation. Let us now turn our attention to how this spice is cultivated.
Advantages of Growing Cumin:
Cumin is a beneficial crop for the farmer as it is simple and needs very little water to grow. This makes it an ideal crop for farmers residing in semi-arid regions. In addition, as people who export know, there is a constant demand for Cumin all over the world. Thus it can also be an income-yielding crop. This is one of the reasons many farmers want cumin, as this spice has a ready market both locally and overseas.
Another advantage of planting cumin is significant soil improvement. Cumin roots do not suck a lot of nutrients from the soil, and therefore, the land remains productive. This is good for farmers who would wish to plant other crops after this one. Also, since such plants as cumin do not require much labour, farmers are able to save time and energy.
Cumin Farming Processes:
While cultivating cumin, one should follow each step of the farming process. The processes below provide detailed information about the key steps of cumin cultivation.
Soil Preparation:
When cultivating cumin, soil preparation is one of the vital aspects that need to be considered. The soil should be light and there should be good drainage within the soil, that is, the soil should not be water logged. Cumin is best grown in sandy loam soils. For instance, prior to planting, farmers will plough the field in order to loosen the soil and remove the weeds. Use a strong, versatile tractor like a Same Deutz Fahr Agrolux tractor, which helps in making the soil loose and well-prepared for the operations. You should combine other substances such as, organic matter, compost manure, and others so that the standard of the soil is enhanced.
Sowing:
November to December is the period during which farmers plant cumin seeds since cumin seeds are planted in winter. Farmers use the conventional method of sowing which is to directly employ the seeds in the ground. The depth of the seeds is about 1-2 cm and there is equal spacing to avoid competition for nutrition. Farmers also take care that the seeds are not planted too deep since it may prevent them from germinating. After sowing, gentle watering ensures that the seeds are firm when placed in the soil to facilitate sprouting.
Watering:
Cumin plants do not require much water as they are a drought-resistant crop. Still, watering has to be done with care, as waterlogging is detrimental to the plant, especially when flowers and seeds are developing. Most farmers give cumin crops one or two rounds of irrigation after their planting and then as required.
Weeding and Pest Insect Management by Farmers
Weeds, especially the wide-spread ones, compete with our cumin plants for nutrients, so farmers have to eliminate them frequently as a control measure. Hand weeding is common, but several farmers prefer to use tools or machines for this operation. Pests like aphids and caterpillars can damage the cumin plants. Farmers can apply different homemade pesticides or sprays and various other methods.
Harvesting of Cumin
Cumin plants become ready for harvesting around three to four months, after sowing, approximately around February to March. Farmers will then look for indicators such as the rate of the leaves yellowing to determine if the seeds onboard are mature. The long plants are cut and allowed to dry in the field. Seeds are collected through threshing after the plants have dried. This task is done either manually or electronically.
Storage and Selling of Cumin After Harvesting
After harvesting cumin, we need to deal with the storage of the seeds. Farmers found that cumin seeds, can ruin their harvested crops if wet. Moisture cannot penetrate the seeds once the cumin has been placed in the containers. Farmers sell the seeds in bulk to spice markets or processing industries for packing and selling in retail stores.
The sale of cumin may be a profitable venture as it is a spice commonly employed in cooking. Cumin, along with India and other nations, is a cuisine that should be found in every household without exception. Depending on whether one sells in local markets or even exporting it out of the country, cumin can bring good benefits to the farmers.
The Conclusion:
Cumin farming is not very hard, but there are things that need to be done and these include soil, water and timing. With the needed implements like the Captain Mini Tractor, farmers could simplify the process. For instance, if you are thinking about raising cumin, do not forget to prepare the soil well and pay attention to watering. For more information on the Captain Mini Tractor Price, visit your nearest dealer for details.
