PRODUCTION

TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTION
of
TECHNOLOGY
of EXOTIC VEGETABLES
EXOTIC
VEGETABLES

Dr. R. M. Kharche
M.Sc.(Agri.), Ph.D.,
M.A.L.L.B.,
H.D.C;G.D.C.A;D.C.B.M.

&

Dr. A. S. Naphade
M.Sc.(Agri.), Ph.D.

CONTINENTAL PRAKASHAN
Vijayanagar, Pune - 411 030

Publishers :
Rutuparna Kulkarni
Continental Prakashan
Vijayanagar,
Pune - 411 030 India
Phone : 01 - 91 - 20 - 433 7982
E-mail : Conti-prakashan@vsnl.net
Printers :
Prakash Mudranalaya
1411 Sadashiv Peth
Pune - 411 030
Publication No. 1301
First Edition : 2004
Isbn No. : 81-7421-092-x
All Rights Reserved
Rs. 85 /- (US $ 4 00 )
PREFACE
India has already achieved self sufficiency in the production
of food-grains but there is a need to provide nutritional protection
to our growing population. The different types of vegetables play
an important role not only in making diet balanced and nutritive but
also help to improve the economic conditions of farmers. Pres-
ently, our country is the second largest producer of vegetables in
the world. But, it is a necessary to further increase production of
vegetables to meet our domestic needs as well as to increase
exports. The per unit yield of vegetables in India is very low as
compared to the other countries of the world. Hence, besides
developing high yielding varieties and hybrid seeds of different
types of vegetables, there is a strong need of extension efforts to
bring production technologies to the notice of our farmers, so that,
higher yield per unit area can be obtained.
In view of productivity, diversification, nutrition, value addition
and export, vegetables are important component of Agriculture. In
India vegetable production per annum is 985.0 lakh metric tonnes.
Out of which Maharashtra produces 44.80 lakh metric tonnes.
But the production of exotic vegetables is very meagre in
Maharashtra State.
Maharashtra State like many other states in our country is
endowed with a wide range of agro-climatic conditions and grow
very large number of tropical and sub-tropical vegetables. Many of
these vegetables are unknown or rare to most of the vegetable
growers and consumers. The rare vegetables are Asparagus, Broc-
coli, Brussels sprouts, Squash(Zuccini), Celery, Cherry Tomato,
Chinese Cabbage, Leek, Lettuce, Parsley and Sweet Corn. Farm-
ers can earn good profit by growing these vegetables in succes-
sion near big cosmopolitan cities and towns.
Now a days, demand is increasing of these kind of vegeta-
bles in star hotels, tourist hotels and chain stores. Most of the farm-
ers from Pune, Satara and Sangli districts are producing these
exotic vegetables on a small land and they fetch good price in
internal markets.
Growers can also export to foreign countries specially to Eu-
ropean Countries where the cultivation of vegetables is not possi-
ble throughout the year in open fields. Similarly, these vegetables
can be exported to Singapore and Middle Eastern countries.
The purpose of preparing this booklet is to furnish scientific
and technical information about the production practices for the
use of vegetable growes, extension workers and of farmers in-
volved in growing these exotic vegetables. The need for collecting
and reviewing the available literatures pertaining to exotic vegeta-
bles production has long been felt and the present publication is
an attempt in that direction. We have drawn freely upon material
from many sources, books, bulletins, scientific papers, magazines
etc.
The publication aims to provide all the desired information of
the latest agro-techniques of production of exotic vegetables to
the growers of Maharashtra State.
Looking forward to future revision, suggestions and criti-
cisms on the contents of this publication and its adaptation to ac-
tual application are invited from all the quarters.
We wish to express our appreciation to all colleagues and
friends who have assisted me in preparation of this publica-
tion. We are grateful to Continental Pubushing house for produc-
ing this book in it's beautiful and attractive from in a very short
period.

Pune R. M. Kharche.
1-1-2004. A. S. Naphade.