Port Blair, May 03: In Andaman and Nicobar, out of the total cropped area of about 45,000 ha, horticulture and plantation crops occupy around 75%. As the area is less available for further increasing the area, selected high value crops must be grown with suitable improved technologies to achieve high productivity. The Tsunami tides of 2004 stroked over in an area of about 10,000 ha, which has affected the livelihood of the local farmers. Of this, about 4000 ha area are affected with saline water and about 2000ha are on low lying areas submerged due to high tides and 2000 ha area have been completely waterlogged due to Tsunami effect. ICAR-CIARI has found that indigenous medicinal fruit plant Morinda citrifolia could be successfully grown in the above situation as it has wider adaptability to specific stresses such as diseases, drought, salt etc.
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) a tropical fruit, commonly known as Indian Mulberry. It is a small tree that grows to a normal height around 10 to 30 feet. The fruits have an unusual shape, 3 to 5 inches long, ovoid & yellowish- white & become tender at maturity. It can grow in wide range of acidity levels. It can easily withstand 20-35°C and mean annual rainfall of 250-4000 mm. Noni is relatively easy to propagate from seeds, stem or root cuttings and air layering.
Noni seedlings may be transplanted in about 12 months after germination with a spacing of 3×3 m under open condition or under coconut or arecanut plantations. Noni fruits are main commercial and economic part from the plant although the roots, bark, stem are also used for various preparations. Noni has been reported to help in reducing high blood pressure and cure heart disease and stroke. The seed oil is reportedly used in the preparation of scalp insecticide. The fruits are believed to have constituents that enhance appetite and brain stimulant.
In Bay Islands, the Noni has been traditionally used and the knowledge on its use is imbedded among the lives of aborigines. As noni tolerates high salinity, it plays an important role in coastal stability, land reclamation and the protection of farms from saltwater spray and also sea water inundated agricultural lands could be restored by this plant. Noni has immense potential as the sustainable commercialization can benefit farmers and the tribal people by providing higher price for the traditionally traded products. It could open newer national and global markets for new noni products from Islands.
Noni plants start flowering in 8-10 months after planting. Commercial harvest can be obtained from 20 to 24 months after planting. It yields about 10 kg/plant after 24 months. A well grown tree may produce on an average of 30-40 kg fruits/tree in 6-7 harvest in a year. It has been reported that productivity of the tree could be upto 40-50 years. The demand for noni plant and the products are increasing day by day among the people as well as farmers in the Bay Islands. ICAR- CIARI has developed four improved noni varieties viz., CIARI Samridhi, CIARI Sanjivini, CIARI Sampada and CIARI Rakshak and recommended for commercial cultivation.
Research and development efforts have been attempted by ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair for increasing the sustainable livelihood of Andaman farmers. Creating livelihood through noni cultivation is one among them. This valuable plant species has far reaching proportion especially for improving livelihood of poor rural communities, who are often highly dependent on their land, health and economic benefits. Noni would be a potential multipurpose crop that can that can support the fragile environment of Island ecosystem and sustainable livelihood of Island farmers.
