“Jasmine cultivation is technically feasible, economically viable” in Trichirapalli District –SEVAI/SG/OFI Project.

Jasmine cultivation by SEVAI Women Self Help Groups in Malliam Pattu Village

Jasmine’ ‘one of the oldest fragrant flowers is being cultivated SEVAI SHG women in Trichirapalli District with the support of SG/OFI. . Jasmine flower is used for making garlands, bouquet, decorating hair of women, religious offering etc. Gundumalli / Madurai Malli, J. Mullai and  Jathimalli / Pitchi are the Jasmine species mainly cultivated by SEVAI Women Self Help Groups for selling as fresh flowers. The flowers produced by SHGs are also being exported to the neighboring countries viz., Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Middle East countries. As Jasmine cultivation is labour intensive, this jasmine cultivation generates employment for Women Self Help Groups in MalliamPattu Village. He small and marginal farmers belonging to Women Self Help Groups cultivate the Jasmine flower farming and it is an ideal flower crop.  The species-wise cultivated in Malliampathu village of SEVAI/SG/OFI varieties are Gundumalli (Jasminum sambac), Co-1 and Co-2 (J. Auriculatum) and Co-1 and Co-2 (J. Grandiflorum). Jasmine comes up well in well drained rich sandy loam soils. The ideal conditions for successful cultivation are warm summer with ample water supply and sunny days. One or two initial ploughings are required to remove the weeds present in the land, which is followed by digging of pits at a size of 30cm³. Each pit should be applied 10 kg of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) before filling the pits. Planting should be done during June-November at a spacing of 1.5m x 1.5m. First irrigation IS given immediately after planting

A SEVAI SHG Member Sells Jasmine in Local retain Market

and subsequent irrigation at an interval of 7-10 days. It is practiced that each plant IS applied with 10 kg of FYM and 60 g of Nitrogen and 120 g each of Phosphorus and Potassium and is applied in two split doses, once after annual pruning and again during June-July. Weeding and strengthening of irrigation channels and bunds are the intercultural operations followed for jasmine cultivation. The first weeding should be done 20-25 days after planting and subsequent   weeding is done once in 2-3 months.SEVAI SHG Trainer imparts training to jasmine growers basically to give the desired shape to the plant whereas, pruning is done to get the desired crop. Normally, irrigation is withheld prior to pruning and plants are pruned by removing all past season shoots including dead and diseased branches. It is advisable to prune the plants during the last week of November to get increased yield and quality flowers. Flowering commences after 6 months of planting. Fully developed unopened flower buds is picked in the early morning i.e., before sun rise. The flowers have a good demand in the local market as well as it is being exported. SHG/SEVAI says, “Women SHGs take up the jasmine cultivation on own land or leased land. The jasmine cultivation is   technically feasible, economically viable and bankable and it gives minimum of 24% after all expenditure Return on Investment”.-Govin