Western Ghats Kokum Foundation - Organic Farming Association of ...

Prospects of Kokum as an Intercrop Border crop in Mango Orchards
K. H. Pujari, B. P. Patil, R. S. Patil, S. S. Wadkar, P. B. Sanap and T. N.Thorat
Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurle Dist. Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.
Kokum, indigenous to western Ghat, is an important fruit tree having culinary,
pharmaceutical and industrial uses. Konkan region in general and Ratnagiri and
Sindhudurga district in particular is famous for rich biodiversity. Kokum is one of the rare
species which is adapted to the specific climate and geography of Konkan. The traditional
cultivation of Kokum is done in the premises of the houses, coconut and arecanut gardens,
along the banks of rivers streams and nallas and wastelands. Under the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and globalization, the Kokum is crossing continents and generated
interest among the people from outside the region of the country. Also it has paramount
importance in the international market from medicinal point of view. The multifaceted
Kokum recently proved its potential in national and international markets. Scientific
cultivation of this crop has therefore been introduced recently with improved varieties,
propogation techniques and package of practices developed and standardized by the Dr.
Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli.
The Kokum fruits are used to prepare fruit syrup i.e. Amrit Kokum, Solkadhi, Amsol
(Dry rind), Agal, Kokum powder etc. The oil of Kokum seed has tremendous export value.
Considering the importance of this crop, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Dapoli has released the “Konkan Amruta" the first ever variety of Kokum as well as
standardized the soft woodgrafting technique for preparing Kokum grafts. In view of
numerous medicinal properties, other major economic potential and future importance of
Kokum crop this crop can be grown as intercrop in mango orchard for more profitable and
sustainable farm business. Being a rainfed crop, there is vast scope for expansion of this
crop in near future. This promising crop has good potential to change the economy of
Konkan region by providing avenues for income generation and employment opportunities
through increased production by taking intercrop in mango and other rainfed orchards.
The processing sector will consume increased production. The processed products of
Kokum have domestic as well as international market. Eventually, this crop has good
potential to compliment the established crop that is mango, in foreign exchange earnings.
An attempt has been made to study the economic viability and scientific management
practices of intercropping in mango orchard to utilize the economic potential of Kokum
crop. For economic and ecological sustainability it was observed that with a standard
spacing, which is 6 x 6m, one can plant 275 grafts of Kokum in one hectare.
Methodology
In this study Kokum can be cultivated as an intercrop in mango orchard. The
standard spacing for mango crop is 10x10m. One can plant 100 mango grafts per hectare.
And if Kokum is taken as intercrop in mango orchard, as a border row as well as roadside
avenue.
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Resource Book on Kokum (Garcinia indica Choisy)
Western Ghats Kokum Foundation, Panaji - Goa