The business of Pea farming is very profitable. However, you can also start growing peas commercially if you have sufficient land, time and money to invest (although the investments are not too expensive). Pea cultivation is very easy whether you produce commercially or on a small scale in the cottage garden.
The pea (Pisum sativum) is a yearly plant with a life cycle of one year. It is a cool-season crop that is grown in many parts of the world.
Peas is also known as Matar in Hindi, Motor in Asamese and Bengali, PattaaniKadala in Malayalam, Vataana in Gujarati, Batani in Kannada and Telugu, Vatane in Marathi and Konkani and Matara in Oriya.
Planting peas commercially is trendy in India. Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra are the central states in India growing peas commercially.
Green peas are very famous as a vegetable throughout the world. And the preserved peas are used as the pulse.
Both dried and green peas are rich in sources of proteins, amino acids and sugars. In addition, the green peas straw is a good source of nutritional fodder for livestock.
How to Start Planting Peas Commercially
Planting peas commercially and on a small scale in the home garden, both are very comfortable. Also, as a beginner, you can start producing peas commercially. Here we are representing more information about commercial pea farming.
For profitable plantations, there are several tractors like Swaraj, Mahindra, Powertrac, John Deere and many more. But farmers’ first choice is always Swaraj 744 because it gives excellent performance and is a reasonable price.
Select a Place
Firstly, you have to select a perfect area for planting peas commercially. Generally, well-drained soil with a pH range of 6-7.5 is supposed best for producing peas commercially. The pea plants can’t endure or grow well in water logging requirements.
Preparing the Soil
Peas can be produced in different types of soil. But they grow best on sandy loam to clay soils.
To prepare the soil, first, remove any weeds from the field. Then 1-2 ploughing with 2-3 harrowing and do planking after ploughing operation. Then level the soil for avoiding waterlogging conditions in the ground. For growing peas commercially, you have to ensure adequate nutrients are available in the soil.
So, try to add as many organic contents as you can into the soil. And also, add 30-40 kg urea and 120-140 kg superphosphate per acre.
You should always use chemical fertilizers based on soil test results.
Climate Conditions for Growing Peas
The peas are known as a cool-season crop, and the plants are best planted at the warmth of 13 °C to 18 °C (the pea plants can thrive as high as 30 °C).
The pea sprouts can’t grow in the summer heat of warmer temperate and lowland tropical atmospheres.
But grow well in more relaxed, high altitude, tropical areas. 400-500 mm average rainfall is supposed ideal for planting peas commercially.
Best Time for Growing Peas
Peas are planted as a cool-season crop in many sections of the world. Therefore, the exact seed sowing time can vary from winter to early summer, depending on the area.
The seeds can be started planted as soon as the soil temperature reaches about 10 °C.
In India, sowing the seeds within October and the Middle of November will be proper for obtaining a good yield.
Choose a Variety
There are so many varieties of peas available throughout the world. Some most popular pea varieties are Alderman/Tall Telephone, Recruit, Green Arrow, Wando, Serge, Miragreen, Lincoln/Homesteader, Sabre, Early Perfection, Snow, Little Marvel, Sugar Ann, Mr Big, Snowbird, Half Pint, Laxton’s Progress and Alaska. The Green Arrow, Snowbird and Sugar Ann are the most popular pea varieties.
Caring of the pea
Taking additional care will benefit the plants to grow well and provide more. So, here we are explaining more about the caring steps for planting peas commercially.
1. Fertilizing
Generally, additional fertilization is not needed for planting peas commercially. The plants will develop well if you have provided the soil in the ways mentioned above.
2. Watering
Watering is needed for a better increase of the plants and also for good yield. Watering directly after sowing seeds or pre-sowing watering will help the roots grow well and active. And after germination, additional 2-3 watering will be needed. So first, irrigation is necessary during the pre-flowering stage, and another during the pod production step.
3. Controlling Weeds
Additional weeding is needed for planting peas commercially. Depending upon the variety, you will need to do 1-2 weeding. The first weeding should be done at the 2-3 sheets stage or 3-4 weeks after planting the seeds. And second, weeding should be taken before flowering.
Health Advantages of Peas
As green peas are very nutritious, so there are lots of healthy perks of consuming peas. Some important health benefits of consuming peas usually are listed below.
- Peas are often used for weight loss, as they are low in fat and calorie.
- The protective polyphenol content (coumestrol) present in peas supports in preventing stomach cancer.
- Consuming peas is fit for heart health and also skin and hair health.
- Peas are good for increasing your body’s immune system, as they are rich in calcium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc.
