Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3
C ULTIVATION
Growing tropical fruit trees is a long-term investment, with harvesting not
beginning for several years. The exceptions are the herbaceous fruit crops,
banana, plantain and papaya, which will start producing marketable yields
in less than 2 years. Perennial and herbaceous fruit crops involve large initial
investment costs for site selection, land preparation, varietal selection, planting
establishment, fertilization, irrigation, pest control, pruning and your own
management costs. For perennial trees these costs will continue for several
years before the trees come into full production. After the trees start to produce
marketable volumes of fruit, the largest cost is for labour, and this is during
harvesting. It is therefore very important to provide the best management
possible so that the trees start fruiting as soon as possible and are in the best
possible condition to maximize yield and fruit quality at the lowest costs.
MARKET ANALYSIS
Market analysis is the crucial fi rst step in establishing a new orchard. This
analysis will determine where the demand is for the products you plan to
grow, how big the demand is and who are your competitors, and can the
market be expanded. This analysis will enable you to decide if you will be able
to sell the product at prices that will leave you with a profi t. The most ei cient
production methods and the best varieties will not make up for an inability to
sell your product. This detailed market analysis has to be done before venturing
into this activity. Additional components in this analysis include knowledge
regarding the best time of year for fruits to arrive in the markets for higher
prices and what the market desires with regard to varieties and fruit quality.
New or dif erent varieties that have dif erent quality characteristics (colour,
texture, aroma, taste) can increase demand for a fruit and expand the current
export markets and should be considered. Export markets are very competitive
and the quality, including fruit safety requirements, is much more rigorous
than for most local markets. Export windows when a fruit may command a
 
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