Safed Musli Agrotechnology

1.0 Product and Its Applications

Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau) is a wonder herb which is also known as natural aphrodisiac alternative to Viagra. The dry tuberous roots of the plant are used as tonic for rejuvenating the male reproductive system, impotence, low sperm and in chronic leucorrhoea. In gynaecology, it is reportedly useful during pregnancy as a nutritive tonic for mother and foetus, replenishes lost fluids and improves the quantity and flow of breast milk. Safed Musli is also an ingredient in a number of Ayurvedic & Unani formulations as a restorative for immunity-improvement and remedy for diabetes and arthritis Musli grows naturally in most parts of India under a wide range of temperature and rainfall It can be successfully cultivated as a highly remunerative crop in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra. & the foot hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

2.0 Market Potential

The global demand for Safed Musli has been increasing steadily. It ranks sixth among 28 selected priority medicinal plants, the cultivation and export of which is being actively encouraged by the Government of India, through National Medicinal Plants Board.

The demand of Safed Musli is estimated at 35,000 tonnes / annum in India while the present supply / collection is about 5,000 tonnes/ annum.

3.0 Basis and Presumption

a) The agricultural land and related infrastructure is available with the entrepreneur.

b) Prices are calculated as per the prevailing market rates.

c) The yields depend on proper implementation of package of practices.

d) Economics of cultivation greatly improves on scale of operation.

e) This activity provides tax-free high returns. Additionally a number of government support schemes are available. Latest provisions need to be checked up.

f) Market for medicinal plants is volatile and economics may vary from time to time.

4.0 Agri practices

4.1 Land preparation

Safed Musli requires well drained loamy to sandy loam soil rich in organic matter. Warm and humid climatic condition with good amount of soil moisture during the growing season favour luxuriant vegetative growth and facilitate fleshy root development The land is prepared during April - May. Before that soil is subjected to deep ploughing, tilling during March / April. At least 12 trolleys of farm yard manure per hectare are mixed during April/ May. Raised beds are prepared keeping the bed distance at 60 cm and height 25-30 cm. The raised beds are well irrigated before sowing the planting material.

4.2 Transplants

It can be propagated through seeds as well as by vegetative means.

Propagation by seeds: The seeds are black in colour and with angular edges. It takes 12-16 days to sprout. The seeds are sown in a well prepared seed bed which is manured by using FYM or leaf litter in the first or second week of June. Adequate moisture should be maintained during absence of rain in early part of the season. The seedlings can be transplanted in the field during the next Kharif season at 30x15 cm spacing because the development of plants as well as roots by means of seeds in the first year is not vigorous enough as compared the vegetatively propagated plants.

Vegetative propagation: The initiation of sprouts of fleshy roots starts during late April to mid May. For the purpose of raising plants in the field, the sprouted seedlings are collected after onset of rains and transplanted in the field. The fleshy roots sprout from second week of May to second week of June. The sprouted fleshy propagules are planted in the field in early June, followed by irrigation. The practice of planting on top of the ridges of 15-20 cm height at a row distance of 30x15 cm is adequate for obtaining commercial yield.

4.3 Planting

Safed Musli can easily be intercropped with other crops viz. maize, Amla and sapota to enhance profits from the land. The sowing of Safed Musli starts with the first shower of the monsoon. Two to three fingers are approximately attached to a part of crown. The fingers of tuber planting material are treated with fungicides e.g. Bovestin / Streptocyclin before planting in order to keep free from fungus contamination.

4.4 Fertilization

The FYM is essential to meet nutrient requirements for supporting healthy plant growth.

4.5 Irrigation

The crop may be sown on outset of rains. If there is no rain after sowing of fleshy root propagules and its transplanting, one irrigation may be provided. Later, when soil moisture recedes in the field, irrigation is required after 10 to 15 days intervals.

4.6 Weed control

4.7 Pest control

Pesticides may be used where necessary to keep Safed Musli crop free from pests

4.8 Harvesting

The crop matures in about 90 days after cultivation. On maturity the leaves start yellowing and ultimately dry up from the collar part and fall down. The crop is thus harvested when leaves have dried which occurs during September / October. The bunch of Safed Musli fleshy roots is dug out of soil and washed well with water.

5.0 Post harvest operations

5.1 Drying

The harvested fleshy roots are cleaned and white musli tubers are spread out in the shade for about 4-7 days for drying to about 20% moisture.

5.2 Peeling

The roots are peeled manually with a sharp knife to remove the outer skin. It is a tedious job involving manual labour and substantial expenditure. The peeled dry musli is packed and marketed.

6.0 Yield

About 6 tonnes of wet fleshy root per hectare is harvested. After processing and drying, it is reduced to 1.2 t of peeled dry musli (final marketable product) giving an average yield of 20%.

7.0 Economics of Safed Musli cultivation per hectare

8.0 Addresses of Some Dealers in Medicinal plants/ Planting Material

1. Tropical Forest Research Institute
Mandla Road, Jabalpur (M.P.)

2. Cedmap,
60, Jail Road, Jahangirabad,
Bhopal (M.P.)

3. KRD Musli Farm,10/47,
Station Road, Rau,
Indore-453331 (M.P.)

4.Mittal Musli Farm and Research Centre,
Jamod, Jalgaon (Maharashtra)

5. Regional Research Laboratory
Jorhat, (Assam)

6. Jeevan Herbs & Agro Farms
178,Keshav Ganj,Sagar (M.P.)

7. SSSBiotic.com
C/o biosourcing.com (P)Ltd.
A-41, Janpath, Ashoknagar
Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

8. Kasiraj Exports,
37, Santhai Road,
Tuticorin (TN)

9. A.Y. Agritec Private Limited
16-7-382/18, Azampura Masjid,
Hyderabad (A.P.)

Contact for more information
Information Manager
TIMEIS Project
E-mail: timeis@ficci.com