Cultivation of pointed gourd variety Kashi Parwal-141 for sustainable income generation
11 April 2024, New Delhi: Pointed gourd is a clonally propagated, perennial, dioecious, and indigenous cucurbitaceous vegetable. The fruits of the pointed gourd are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber and are also valued for its medicinal properties. It is considered as highly nutritious as compared to other cucurbit vegetables and recognized as a traditional vegetable in Indian cuisine for culinary and confectionary uses. Being a perennial, pointed gourd fruits are almost available throughout the year in the market except for the severe winter months of December and January. The Pointed gourd variety Kashi Parwal-141 was developed at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, characterized by its Spindle-shaped fruits which are light green without any longitudinal strip and measuring 8 to 10 cm in length and 2.75 to 3.00 cm in diameter. This segment of the pointed gourd is very common and popular in eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially Varanasi and adjoining localities, and fetches comparatively higher market prices due to the consumer’s preference.
Mr. Rajendra Singh Patel from Haripur Village of Baragaon Block, Varanasi has been growing Kashi Parwal-141 since 2019 using the ICAR-IIVR-produced planting materials. Initially, he planted this variety in a 0.25 ha area during November month and followed the scientific package of practices for its production such as drip irrigation, use of plastic mulch, and vertical training system. He also used the different technological interventions as suggested by the Institute’s Scientists. Harvesting of fruits started in March and continued up to the first week of December. Mr. Patel harvested 95 quintals of pointed gourd fruits in the first year which gradually increased to 105 & 110 quintals, respectively in the second and third years. He earned a net profit of Rs. 2,30,000/-, Rs. 2,70,000/- and Rs. 2,90,000/- during 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, respectively after deducting the cost of cultivation around Rs. 1,50,000/-. He described the pointed gourd as a suitable crop for sustainable earning from small land holding as it does not exhibit price fluctuation throughout its availability and the market price on no occasion falls below Rs. 20/- per kg.
He is an inspirational figure to the farmers who want to grow pointed gourd and also spread the cultivation of Kashi Parwal-141 to around 35-40 ha in nearby villages of the Baragaon Block.
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