Utilizing Drip Irrigation to Establish Sustainable Avocado Growing Regions in India

 

The demand for avocados in India has surged by 100 percent over the past year, which is 6 times more than global trend where annual growth rates range from 15-20 percent.

Over the past two years, avocado sales in India have doubled, and this upward trajectory is set to continue.

In 2021, India imported 1,000 tonnes of avocados, which increased to 2,000 tonnes in 2022 and 4,000 tonnes in 2023.

Projections for the first quarter of the current year (2024) indicate a consumption of 8,000 tonnes. Westfalia has facilitated over 50 percent of these imports.

Initially, avocados were flown in from Peru, Chile, and New Zealand, leading to high retail prices due to steep airfreight costs. However, the shift to sea transport has significantly reduced retail prices, with imports now coming from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Brazil, and Australia.

In line with the growing consumption, avocado plantations have been established in various Indian states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Currently, India's production meets its domestic needs.

Avocado cultivation requires a substantial water supply for optimal growth and commercial fruit production.

At Netafim, we support avocado growers in India by providing cost-effective, state-of-the-art drip irrigation solutions designed to enhance yield, conserve water, and optimize fertilizer usage.

Drip irrigation ensures consistent watering during dry periods, promoting short-term growth and sustaining long-term plant health for successive crops.

Fertigation, which integrates fertilizers into the irrigation system, offers substantial benefits to both farmers and the environment.

It minimizes fertilizer wastage, prevents underground water pollution, and enhances foliage and fruit retention, thereby increasing fruit yield and weight.

Netafim has successfully implemented drip irrigation across more than 1,000 hectares in India.

Our solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of avocado growers, ensuring that every drop of water and each granule of fertilizer contributes to the health and productivity of their crops.