Menthol Mint Cultivation: Know how Japanese mint cultivation can be beneficial for farmers
Japanese peppermint is also known as Mentha
Mint is cultivated on a large scale in India. India is the largest exporter of mint in the world and India is the second largest producer of menthol mint. Mint is cultivated specifically to obtain an oil from it, which is called menthol oil. Its demand is in India as well as abroad. This oil has antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-tumor properties, which are very beneficial for health. Apart from oil, mint is also used in making mouthwash, toothpaste, cough syrup and other medicines, cosmetics, hair oil, talcum powder etc. That is, there is always a demand for it. In such a situation, farmers can earn good profits from the cultivation of menthol mint i.e. Japanese mint by adopting advanced agricultural technology.
Climate and soil in mint cultivation
Warm climate is required for mint cultivation. By the way, it can be cultivated throughout the year except in very cold months. For good yield such soil is needed which absorbs more water. Also, proper drainage system should be there in the field. The pH value of soil should be 7-8.5. Some of the improved varieties of mint are Sim-Unnati, Sim-Kranti, Sim-saryu and Kosi.
Get the farm ready
Mint nursery is prepared first and then the plants are planted in the fields. To prepare the field, first plow it twice deeply and before the last plowing mix rotted manure of cow dung at the rate of 20-25 tonnes per hectare. Keep in mind that the manure of cow dung should be well rotten, otherwise there is a fear of getting termites. Apart from this, prepare the field for sowing by mixing Nitrogen 58 kg, Phosphorus 32-40 kg and Potash 20 kg per acre.
Irrigation is essential
Mint or Mentha is a herbaceous plant so it needs more water. Keep irrigating it from time to time. In the beginning, keep irrigating at an interval of 10-15 days, but keep in mind that water does not stagnate in the field. Stop irrigation 8-10 days before harvesting. Timely irrigation helps in the proper development of plants.
How to control weeds?
Control of weeds is also necessary to get a good crop of mint otherwise, it will reduce oil production. Weeds can reduce oil production by 60-80%. Keep in mind that there should be no weeds in the field within 30-75 days from sowing. After 25-30 days of first weeding, do two-three more weeding.
Cultivation of mint with other crops
Cultivation of mint along with traditional and commercial crops is beneficial for the farmers. Mint can be grown with early paddy and mustard. Mint can also be cultivated with maize and potatoes. This can also be grown with early paddy and potato. It will be beneficial to cultivate mint along with tur crop.
Also Read: Natural farming reduced the cost and increased profit for this farmer of Andhra Pradesh
When to harvest mint crop?
When the mint leaves start turning yellow from below and the upper leaves remain small, then the plants should be cut from a height of 5 cm from the ground. After harvesting the crop should be dried in shade for 2 days. By this about 5 percent oil loss can be prevented.
How much oil is produced?
Two harvests of mint yield 200 kg per hectare of oil and one harvest yields 100-125 kg per hectare of oil.
profit?
An average cost of 50 thousand rupees is spent in two harvesting of Menthol Mint and by selling it, farmers can earn Rs 2 lakh i.e. a net profit of 1.5 lakh is obtained. The demand for mint is increasing in the country as well as abroad, so small farmers can also earn good profits from its cultivation.
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