Pandal System of Training Cost Per Acre: A Comparative Analysis of Different Horticulture Crops

The pandal system of training is a method of growing vines on overhead arbors or bowers, which are supported by pillars and wires. It is widely used in India for cultivating grapes and other horticultural crops, such as passion fruit, kiwi, dragon fruit, etc. In this article, we will discuss the definition and explanation of the pandal system of training, the factors affecting its cost per acre in India, and the different types of pandal systems.

We’ll also cover the benefits and challenges of using this method, the comparative analysis with other training methods, the economic analysis of its cost-benefit ratio, the government initiatives and subsidies supporting it, the best practices for implementing it, the impact of this system on crop yield and quality, the environmental implications and sustainability of this system, and the future trends in this system in India.

Definition and Explanation of Pandal System of Training

The pandal system of training is a method of growing vines on overhead arbors or pavilions, which are supported by pillars and wires. The pillars can be made of stone, cement, iron, bamboo, or live stakes of trees. The wires can be made of galvanized iron or bamboo. The height of the pavilions can vary from 1.8 to 3 meters, depending on the crop and the climate.

The spacing between the pillars can range from 3 to 6 meters, depending on the vigor of the vines. The spacing between the wires can be 30 to 45 cm, forming a network that covers the entire area. The vines are planted at a distance of 1.5 to 3 meters from each other and trained to reach the bower level by pinching or pruning the main stem. Then, two to four side shoots are allowed to grow from each vine and trained on either side or on four sides of the trunk to form arms.

These arms are allowed to reach the periphery of the bower and then tipped. On these arms, secondary branches are produced and spaced at intervals of 45 cm from each other alternately in opposite directions. These branches are trained to cover the framework uniformly. These secondary branches give rise to tertiary branches on which canes develop and produce shoots carrying bunches.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Pandal System of Training per Acre in India

The type and quality of materials used for erecting the bower structure.
The labor cost for planting, training, pruning, harvesting, and maintaining the vines.
The cost of inputs such as fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, etc.
The type and variety of crops grown.
The yield and quality of crops produced.
The market price and demand for crops.

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The cost of a pandal system of training per acre for grapes in India can range from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lacks for erecting the bower structure, Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh for planting material, Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh for the labor cost per year, Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh for inputs per year, and Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 for miscellaneous expenses per year.

Different Types of Pandal Systems in India

Square pandal: This is a simple and common type of pandal system where the bower structure is square-shaped with four pillars at each corner and wires forming a square grid on top.
Rectangular pandal: This is similar to a square pandal but with a rectangular shape and more pillars along the longer sides.
Hexagonal pandal: This is a type of pandal system where the bower structure is hexagonal-shaped, with six pillars at each vertex and wires forming a hexagonal grid on top.
Circular pandal: This is a type of pandal system where the bower structure is circular-shaped, with one pillar at the center and wires radiating from it to form a circular grid on top.
Single-arm pandal: This is a type of pandal system where each vine has only one arm trained in one direction along the wires.
Double-arm pandal: This is a type of pandal system where each vine has two arms trained in opposite directions along the wires.
Four-arm pandal: This is a type of pandal system where each vine has four arms trained in four directions along the wires.
Zig-zag pandal: This is a type of pandal system where the wires are arranged in a zig-zag pattern on the bower structure, and the vines are trained accordingly.

Benefits of Using the Pandal System of Training in Agriculture

It allows for high productivity and quality of crops by providing adequate sunlight, air circulation, and space for the vines to grow and bear fruits.
It facilitates multiple cropping and intercropping by allowing different crops to be grown in the same area under the bower structure.
It reduces pest and disease incidence by keeping the vines away from the soil and improving the sanitation and hygiene of the crop.
It reduces water loss and soil erosion by providing shade and mulch for the soil and conserving moisture and nutrients.
It enhances the aesthetic appeal and recreational value of the farm by creating a beautiful and pleasant environment.

Challenges and Limitations of Implementing Pandal System of Training

It requires high initial investment, maintenance costs for erecting and repairing the bower structure and training and pruning the vines.
It requires skilled labor and technical knowledge to manage the crop and ensure proper growth and development of the vines.
It may cause shading and competition among the vines and between different crops if not managed properly.
It may need help in harvesting, transporting, and marketing the crops due to their large size and weight.
It may have negative impacts on biodiversity and wildlife by altering the natural habitat and ecosystem.

Comparative Analysis: Pandal System vs. Other Training Methods in Agriculture

The pandal system of training can be compared with other training methods in agriculture based on the type and level of support provided for the vines, the shape and direction of growth of the vines and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

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tasting wine near vineyards in countryside

Examples of Other Training Methods

Head training: This is a method of growing vines on short stakes or posts without any wires or trellis. The vines are pruned to form a short trunk with few branches. This method is suitable for dry regions with low rainfall and low vigor varieties. The advantages are low cost, easy management, and early bearing. The disadvantages are low yield, poor quality, high pest and disease incidence, and high water loss.

Cordon training: This is a method of growing vines on horizontal wires or trellis supported by posts. The vines are pruned to form a long trunk with one or more horizontal arms. This method is suitable for humid regions with high rainfall and high-vigor varieties. The advantages are high yield, good quality, low pest and disease incidence, and low water loss. The disadvantages are high cost, difficult management, and late bearing.

Kniffin system: This is a method of growing vines on vertical wires or trellis supported by posts. The vines are pruned to form a short trunk with two or more vertical arms. This method is suitable for temperate regions with moderate rainfall and moderate vigor varieties. The advantages are moderate yield, good quality, moderate pest and disease incidence, and moderate water loss. The disadvantages are moderate cost, moderate management, and moderate bearing.

Economic Analysis: Cost-Benefit Ratio of Pandal System of Training per Acre

The cost-benefit ratio of the pandal system of training per acre can be calculated by comparing the total cost incurred for implementing this method with the total revenue generated from selling the crops produced by this method.

The total cost can include

The fixed cost for erecting the bower structure
The variable cost for planting material, labor, inputs, etc.

The total revenue can include

The gross income from selling the crops
The net income after deducting the marketing expenses

The cost-benefit ratio can be expressed as:
Cost-benefit ratio = Total revenue / Total cost
A higher cost-benefit ratio indicates a higher profitability of this method.

The cost-benefit ratio of the pandal system of training per acre for grapes in India can range from 1.5 to 2.5 lakhs depending on the variety, yield, quality, price, etc.

Government Initiatives and Subsidies Supporting Pandal System of Training

India’s Ministry of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare has launched several schemes to support farmers adopting the pandal system of training for horticultural crops, particularly grapes. These include the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which provides subsidies for various components such as planting material, drip irrigation, fertigation, and trellis.

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The National Horticulture Board (NHB) also offers credit-linked back-ended subsidies for capital investment in horticulture projects, including the pandal system of training for grapes. The National Food Security Mission aims to increase food crop production and productivity through area expansion, soil fertility restoration, employment opportunities, and farm-level economy. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) incentivizes states to increase investment in agriculture and allied sectors, promoting the pandal system of training for horticultural crops.

Best Practices for Implementing Pandal System of Training in India

The pandal system of training is a method of growing plants that requires careful planning and execution. It involves selecting a suitable site with good soil fertility, drainage, irrigation facilities, sunlight exposure, and protection from strong winds and frost. The chosen variety should be compatible with climatic conditions, market demand, pest and disease resistance, and yield potential. The planting material should be healthy, disease-free, and true to type, with cuttings or rooted cuttings preferred over grafts or layers.

The layout and spacing should be designed according to the pandal structure’s shape and size, with a spacing of 3X3 m and 4X4 m. The pandal structure should be sturdy, durable, and economical, with wires or strips arranged in a grid pattern. The main stem should be trained vertically, followed by pinching to induce lateral branches or arms. Secondary branches or tertiaries should be spaced at intervals of 45 cm, producing fruiting canes that bear clusters. Pruning is done to regulate vegetative growth and fruiting potential.

Impact of Pandal System on Crop Yield and Quality

It increases the productivity per unit area by utilizing the vertical space and allowing higher plant density.
It improves the quality of fruits by providing uniform sunlight exposure, air circulation, and pest and disease management.
It facilitates the harvesting and post-harvest handling of fruits by reducing damage and losses.
It extends the cropping season by enabling multiple harvests in a year.

The pandal system of training can increase the yield of grapes by 30-40% compared to the conventional system. The study also reported that the pandal system can improve the quality parameters of grapes, such as size, shape, color, sugar content, and shelf life.

Environmental Implications and Sustainability of Pandal System in Agriculture

The use of pandal training for crop cultivation requires more water and fertilizer due to its higher plant density and vigor. It may cause soil erosion and nutrient leaching, increase carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions due to non-biodegradable materials, and pose a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

To address these challenges, adopt drip irrigation and fertigation systems, apply organic mulches to conserve soil moisture and fertility, use biodegradable materials like bamboo, wood, or coir, and practice crop rotation, intercropping, or mixed cropping to diversify the cropping system and enhance ecological balance.

Future Trends in the Pandal System of Training in India

The pandal system of training is expected to gain popularity and acceptance among farmers and consumers in India in the future due to factors such as increasing demand for high-quality horticultural products, awareness of health benefits, nutritional value of horticultural crops, availability of improved varieties, technologies, and inputs, and government policies supporting the pandal system. Challenges include:

High initial investment and maintenance costs.
Lack of skilled labor and technical expertise.
Climatic risks.
Social and cultural barriers.

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The cost per acre for establishing and operating a pandal system of training for different horticultural crops in India may vary depending on factors such as region, variety, material, and labor. However, the pandal system is expected to gain more acceptance and support from farmers and consumers.

Pandal System of Training Cost Per Acre in India

The pandal system is suitable for many gourd vegetables, such as bitter gourd, ribbed gourd, snake gourd, lab-lab, chow-chow, coccinea, bottle gourd, etc. It can also be used for fruits like grapes and musk melon. The pandal system requires an initial investment in erecting the pillars and wires, which can be made of cement, stone, or iron. The height of the pillars should be about 10 feet, and the spacing should be about 15×15 m. The wires should be spaced at 30×45 cm or 30×30 cm intervals, forming a network.

Crop	Cost Per Acre (in Rs.)
Bitter gourd	1,00,000
Ribbed gourd	1,00,000
Snake gourd	1,00,000
Lab-lab	1,00,000
Chow-chow	1,00,000
Coccinea	1,00,000
Bottle gourd	1,00,000
Grapes	2,50,000
Musk melon	1,50,000
Passion fruit	2,00,000
Kiwi fruit	3,00,000
Dragon fruit	2,50,000
Vanilla	2,50,000
Betel vine	3,00,000
Black pepper	2,50,000

The pandal system is a proven technology that can enhance the profitability of gourd and other horticultural crops. Farmers in Tamil Nadu and other states of India widely adopt it.

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Conclusion

This comparative analysis reveals intriguing insights into the Pandal System of Training Cost Per Acre in India for diverse horticulture crops. The data underscores the varying financial implications, empowering farmers and stakeholders with valuable information for informed decision-making in optimizing cultivation practices and economic returns.