Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

5.5.3 Large and small scale production
Large plantations may be established on community lands as agroforestry or
as co-operative plantations using improved cultivars. Although better land
quality and water supply would ensure better quality fruits, large areas of
wasteland may also be developed. The establishment and management of
such plantations may require specialised soil treatment, protection against
wild animals, attention to transportation and distribution of fruits, and
selection of specific cultivars.
Large plantations can be established for specialised markets, including
processing and export. As the number of tamarind cultivars increase,
different plantations will grow trees for different markets, as is the case in
Thailand with sweet and sour fruit types. The quality of the fruit needed for
processing will be different from the quality required for the sale of fresh
fruit. Such plantations would most likely be situated close to the cities,
where the facilities for packing and transport are close at hand. The chances
of success of plantation growth are high using science-based inputs such as
new cultivars and root stocks, production of quality planting material,
fertilisation and integrated pest management.
Small plantations such as those on farm boundaries, roads and field edges
can meet the local requirements for villages and small towns. Fresh fruit are
already sold in the village markets.
Growing tamarind in home gardens in association with food and other crops
can be both profitable and aesthetic. Tamarind trees also make attractive
ornamentals in landscape plantings. Production of tamarind for home
consumption assists in providing nutrition security, especially in droughtprone
regions where fresh fruit is a small component of the daily diet. Fresh
fruits are already sold in the village markets in many countries. In such areas
the number of trees planted need only meet the local requirement for fresh
and processed fruits. Tamarind trees also enhance the genetic richness of
farm and garden plots, thus contributing to their ecological stability. Indeed
in fragile environments neglected species like tamarind may well be more
valuable and more appropriate than conventional crops. Smallholders need
to have access to quality planting materials and appropriate production
technologies. Furthermore, development of post-production handling,
processing and transportation is necessary to raise quality, minimise losses
and facilitate movement from farmers to markets.
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