For farmers looking beyond traditional crops, horticulture is fast becoming a reliable way to lift earnings — and this stretch of the year is considered the ideal window to begin. With the monsoon almost upon us, experts say the groundwork done before the rains arrive makes a real difference to how well the saplings grow. Nirmal Kumar Goyal, deputy director of the district horticulture department in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, laid out that preparation plan in detail in a conversation with TrendKia.
Prepare the Field First, Plant Later
According to Goyal, the very first job for any farmer planning to take up horticulture this season is to finish digging the pits in the field. He points out that right now is the most suitable time for this primary groundwork — getting the land ready for planting. The payoff is timing: the moment the rains begin in the days ahead, farmers can move straight to placing saplings in these pre-dug pits without losing a day.
Five Fruits That Pay Off in Shivpuri's Soil
The expert says Shivpuri district's climate and soil are particularly well suited to five fruit crops that can earn farmers a handsome profit. The list includes mango, lemon, guava, jackfruit and custard apple. In other words, farmers stepping into orchard cultivation have several strong options to choose from.
Setting Up a Lemon Orchard? Mind This Spacing
Sharing the technical side, the deputy director explained that farmers planting a lemon orchard must pay close attention to the gap between plants. Lemon saplings should be set 6×6 metres apart. His advice is to mark out the field in advance to that measurement and dig the pits accordingly, so that planting can start immediately once the rains set in.
How to Apply for Subsidy and Free Saplings
There is a route, too, for farmers who want subsidy or saplings under government schemes. They will need to apply online through the horticulture department's portal. Once the application process is complete, beneficiaries are picked through the department's e-lottery system. After approval, farmers can begin planting in their fields in line with the department's prescribed guidelines.
