📋 Video Summary

🎯 Overview

This video explores soilless farming of turmeric and ginger, showcasing a farm that achieves high yields (45 tons per acre) and significant profits (₹2 crore). It delves into the technical aspects of cultivation, business models, revenue streams, and marketing strategies for these crops, providing a comprehensive guide for aspiring farmers.

📌 Main Topic

Soilless Farming of Turmeric and Ginger: A Deep Dive into Production, Economics, and Marketing

🔑 Key Points

• 1. Introduction to Teto Farms & Founders [0:00:45]: The video introduces Teto Farms, founded by individuals from diverse backgrounds (engineering, accounting, IT), aiming to make agriculture profitable and sustainable using modern practices.

• 2. Soilless Farming System and Area [0:03:59]: The farm uses a 10-acre plot, with 6 acres under production, including 4.5 acres of naturally vented polyhouses and 2 acres of tunnel structures.

• 3. Planting Density & Trough System [0:04:38]: The planting density is approximately 30,000 plants per acre. Troughs are preferred over grow bags for cost savings and more efficient drip irrigation.

• 4. Substrate Composition [0:08:38]: The substrate consists of a layer of koir at the bottom for drainage, mixed with cocoa peat, fermented organic manure, and vermicompost.

• 5. Moisture Management [0:09:00]: Maintaining root zone moisture at 30-50% is crucial for turmeric and ginger cultivation. Moisture is measured using a pulse moisture meter and EC meter.

• 6. Cocoa Peat Usage & Replacement [0:09:53]: Cocoa peat is not replaced annually; it's topped up as needed, and the existing material is solarized and reused after the crop cycle.

• 7. Open Field vs. Polyhouse Cultivation [0:12:42]: Polyhouses offer advantages in terms of labor, weed control, and ryzome protection, making the process easier than open field.

• 8. Crop Cycle Stages & Fertigation [0:13:48]: The crop cycle includes vegetative (0-3 months), regenerative (3-6 months), and dormancy (7-9 months) stages, each with a specific fertigation schedule emphasizing different nutrients (Nitrogen, Potassium).

• 9. Ryome Selection [0:17:14]: Ideal ryomes for planting should weigh 60-70g and have 5-6 eyes for optimal plant development.

• 10.Drip Irrigation System [0:18:17]: 1 lph drip lines are used for slow water dispersion, with irrigation amounts of 30-35 ml per plant per irrigation.

• 11.EC & pH Levels [0:19:25]: Maintaining an EC of 0.5-0.6 in the root zone is critical, with the incoming EC from fertigation room is 2.2.

• 12.Harvesting Practices [0:24:55]: Harvesting involves removing the plant, shaking off excess cocoa peat, and cleaning the ryomes.

• 13.Ginger vs. Turmeric [0:30:55]: Ginger is more susceptible to rot and leaf spot compared to turmeric, and requires careful moisture control.

• 14.Planting Time [0:35:07]: The ideal planting time for protected cultivation is February to March.

• 15.Mango Ginger Variety [0:38:56]: The farm is experimenting with mango ginger, a more premium variety, but the yield is still unknown.

• 16.Marketing Strategy [0:40:07]: The farm focuses on securing buyers (neutraceutical companies) before planting, ensuring a market for the produce and a premium price.

• 17.Revenue Streams [0:41:48]: Key revenue streams include fresh wet ginger/turmeric, dried forms, planting material (seeds), and value-added products (bio extracts).

• 18.Cost Analysis [0:44:37]: Operational costs are about ₹15 lakhs per acre over an 8-month period. Capital investment can be ₹65-70 lakhs/acre.

• 19.Revenue & Profitability [0:53:19]: Revenue from wet ginger can be ₹36 lakhs per acre. The profit per acre can be around ₹20 lakhs.

• 20.Accessing Buyers [1:00:00]: Neutraceutical companies actively seek residue-free and high-quality produce, attending exhibitions and building direct relationships, which is vital for market access.

• 21.Logistics [1:01:50]: Fresh ginger and turmeric have decent shelf life (15-20 days) for transport, making it feasible to reach buyers.

💡 Important Insights

• • Economies of Scale [0:50:18]: Hydroponic farming is more profitable when done on a larger scale (at least 3 acres) to optimize costs.
• • Value Addition [0:57:57]: The numbers change drastically when value addition is involved (drying, processing, extraction), with higher profit potential.
• • Quality of Inputs [1:05:07]: Investing in high-quality capital expenditure (CAPEX) like planting material, fertilizers, and cocoa peat is important for long-term success.

📖 Notable Examples & Stories

• • Teto Farms’ Journey: The video shares the journey of Teto Farms, highlighting their transition from capsicum to ginger and turmeric and their shift from open field to polyhouse cultivation. [0:00:45]
• • Mango Ginger Tasting: The host tasting the mango ginger, describing the unique flavor profile. [0:39:17]
• • Practical Harvesting Demonstration: Demonstration of harvesting practices. [0:25:55]

🎓 Key Takeaways

• 1. Market First: Secure buyers before planting to avoid waste and ensure profitability.
• 2. Quality is Paramount: Invest in high-quality inputs (seeds, substrate, etc.) and strict SOPs for residue-free produce.
• 3. Value Addition is Key: Explore processing and value-added products to increase profit margins.

✅ Action Items (if applicable)

□ Research and connect with neutraceutical companies or other potential buyers. □ Evaluate your farming setup and identify opportunities for improvement. □ Prioritize soil testing and monitoring of moisture levels.

🔍 Conclusion

The video provides valuable insights into the soilless cultivation of turmeric and ginger, emphasizing the importance of market research, quality control, and value addition for achieving high yields and profitability in this promising agricultural venture.