Carrot Seeds: Will farmers get double benefit by producing carrot seeds along with carrots?

Carrot Seeds: Sisana village of Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh has played an important role in the freedom struggle, more than a dozen people from here were freedom fighters, who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle. Jaspal Singh, an elderly progressive farmer of this village, is producing carrot seeds along with carrots. He is getting good production from this. Jaspal cultivates carrots every year and eventually produces seeds too, which yields about 100 kg of seeds. Jaspal Singh discussed in detail with Kisan of India correspondent Sarvesh Bundeli about how they produce the seeds.

Carrot Seeds Ready In 4 Months 

Jaspal says that first the field is prepared for sowing and then the seeds are sown. Then pesticides etc. are applied to protect them from insects. He further says that healthy, thick, long and red carrots are selected to prepare the seeds. Then they are taken out from the ground and cut from the back side i.e. near the root and planted in the ground. For the production of good seeds, cow dung manure is added and irrigation is done at regular intervals. If sown in January, the seeds are ready by May. Medicines are also sprayed to prevent caterpillars or any other disease.

Storage & Sowing Distance In Carrot Seed Farming 

Jaspal Singh says that after preparing the seeds, its proper storage is very important. He tells that after harvesting the carrot seeds, they are dried and kept in a vessel. So that it can be used next year. It is also important to keep in mind the distance at the time of sowing. There should be a distance of 1.5 to 2 feet between the beds and about 2 feet between the trees.

If a farmer wants to produce good seeds, then what things he needs to keep in mind, Jaspal tells that the most important thing is to take care that the plants do not get infested with insects and there are no weeds in the field.

Production in Carrot Seed Cultivation 

Jaspal Singh has planted carrots in his 2 bigha land for seed production, from which he gets about one quintal of seeds. As far as the income from this is concerned, he says that the seeds are sold at the rate of Rs 500 to Rs 700 per kg and the seeds prepared by him are sold in the village itself. He tells that people cultivate carrots in winter, so the demand for his seeds remains good. In this way, he earns 20 to 50 thousand rupees from seed production. He says that when there is good production, the earnings are good, but if the seeds get spoiled, then the earnings are also less.

Production of Carrot Seeds Every Year 

Jaspal Singh produces carrot seeds every year along with carrots. When asked whether the production of carrots decreases by doing this or not, he says that there is no decrease in production, anyway the carrots whose stalks are cut and planted for seed production, those carrots are sold in the market. And since he is preparing the seeds himself, the quality is also taken care of, so the production is good. Yes, he believes that there is definitely a slight difference in production compared to hybrid.

Temperature & Climate For Carrot Seeds 

Carrot is a major crop of our country which is consumed as salad and vegetable. Carrot is cultivated mostly in Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. It is a winter crop, for good production a temperature of 8 to 23 degrees is required. In this temperature the colour, shape and taste of carrots are all good.

Soil for Cultivation of Carrot Seeds 

Although carrot can be cultivated in any type of soil, but for good yield, fossilized sandy or sandy loam soil is considered the best. While the pH value of the soil should be 6.5 to 7.

Carrot Varieties 

Carrot varieties are divided into two categories:

European varieties – Nantes, Pusa Yamdagini, Chantenay etc. are European varieties of carrots. Its roots are cylindrical in shape, medium in length and dark orange in colour. Their average yield is up to 270 quintals per hectare. These varieties are not able to tolerate high temperatures.

Asian varieties- Pusa Meghali, Carrot No. 29, Pusa Keshar, Hisar Garik, Hisar Rasili, Hisar Madhur, Chayan No. 223, Pusa Rudhir, Pusa Aansita and Pusa Jamadagni are Asian varieties. Their early sowing is done in August to September. However, their sowing can be done till October.

In how many days the crop is ready? 

After sowing, the crop is ready within 95-110 days and then it is dug out. However, the ripening time of the crop depends on its variety, sowing time, type of land, etc. When the roots of the carrot are ready, then after a light irrigation, it should be dug out the next day. Keep in mind that it should always be dug out in cold weather i.e. in the morning.

Frequently asked questions and answers on carrot seeds 

Question: What benefits do farmers get if they prepare the seeds themselves?

Answer: If farmers prepare the seeds of their crop themselves, they get quality seeds, which gives a good crop. Apart from this, it makes their work easier and they do not need to buy seeds from the market.

Question: How is the process of carrot seed production done?

Answer: For the production of carrot seeds, first healthy, thick, long and red carrots are selected. Then they are taken out from the ground and their back part is cut and planted in the ground again. Seeds are prepared with cow dung manure and regular irrigation. If sown in January, the seeds are ready by May.

Question: How are carrot seeds stored?

Answer: After preparing the carrot seeds, they are dried and kept in a vessel so that they can be used next year. It is important to keep the seeds dry during storage.

Question: What distance should be kept in the field for carrot seed production?

Answer: For carrot seed production, a distance of one and a half to 2 feet should be kept between the beds and about 2 feet between the plants. This gives the plants the right space and air, which leads to better production.

Question: How much income can be generated from carrot seed production?

Answer: By producing carrot seeds, per kg of seed is sold for Rs 500 to Rs 700.

Question: What temperature is required for carrot crop?

Answer: 8 to 23 degree Celsius temperature is most suitable for carrot crop. In this temperature, the colour, shape and taste of carrots are the best.

Question: Which soil is best for carrot seed production?

Answer: Fossil sandy or sandy loam soil is considered best for carrot seed production. The pH value of the soil should be between 6.5 to 7.

Question: What are the varieties of carrots?

Answer: There are two main varieties of carrots – European and Asian varieties. European varieties include Nantes, Pusa Yamdagini, Chantenay, etc., while Asian varieties include Pusa Meghali, Carrot No. 29, Pusa Keshar, etc.

Question: In how many days does the carrot crop get ready?

Answer: Carrot crop gets ready in 95-110 days after sowing. The preparation time of the crop depends on its variety and sowing time.