It is popularly known as “Anjeer” and belongs to family Moraceae. Hot and long summers are good for the cultivation of fig. They can also be grown in containers. The fruits of fig are eaten raw, can be preserved and can be used for cooking purposes. It is considered as the minor fruit crop in India. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are the major fig farming states. It also has health benefits such as it improves digestion and helps in preventing cancer, heart diseases and hypertension. It is a rich source of antioxidants.

It is grown in variety of soil. Loamy soil having well drainage system is best for fig farming. pH having soil range of 7-8 is optimum for its cultivation.

Strain BF -III: Early growing, fruit is large in size which is bluish black in color, flesh is pinkish-red in color at maturity, 4-6% less moisture than normal strain and has better shelf life, heavy yield giving variety, Suitable for low hilly areas. The fruits have approximately 36.8gm weight. It contains 18.8o brix total soluble content.

Fegra fig: Mainly grown in mid hills region of Western Himalayas.

Other state varieties:

Poona fig: Mainly grown in Bangalore, Lucknow and Saharanpur states.
 

At the time of pit preparation, add 5kg cow dung in nursery pits and then add 20-25 kg of phosphorus and potash manure.

Time of sowing:
December to January month or July to August month is suitable for sowing.

Spacing:
Use spacing of 8 X 8m.

Method of sowing:
Propagation method is used.
 

Mainly propagation is done through cutting. Mainly cuttings having length of 25cm which contains 3-6 nodes is taken for the propagation. Cuttings are taken from the previous year plant.

Seed rate:
150 plants for per acre land are required.
 

Nutrient Requirement (gm/tree/year)

In plants having an age of 1-3 years, add 5-10kg of cow dung and in plants having an age of above 3 years, add 10-20kg of cow dung per plant.

In summer season, irrigation is required at an interval of 9-12 days. Drip irrigation is beneficial for the fig farming. 15-20ltr of water/day/plant is recommended.

Training should be done to 1 stem and then it is allowed to grow upto the height of 1m and then it is topped. Pruning is mainly done after rainy season.

• Pest and their control:
  

Leaf defoliators: Defoliators feed themselves on the leaves of the trees.
Control: Spraying of Quinalphos@400ml in 150ltr water per acre should be done to control defoliators.

Stem borers: The borers start reproducing on fig trees by attacking the main stem of the tree.
Control: Application of Phorate granules with kerosene or petrol is done to get rid of stem borers.

 

Fig flies: It infects the fruit which is not fallen off of the tree.
Control: Application of Triazophos@300ml in 150 ltr water per acre is done to control fig flies.

 

• Disease and their control:

Rust: If not controlled timely can reduce yield severely. Small brown spots are observed on leaves with black or brown color at centre.
Control: Spraying of Dithane Z-78@400gm or Dithane M-45@400gm in 150 ltr water per acre is done to control the rusts.
 

Commercially harvesting is done from the 3rd year. Mainly harvesting is done in February to march month and ends up in May to June month. Harvesting is done manually in 2-3 intervals. The yield increases as the age of the plant increases. From 8th year onwards it gives an average yield of 18kg per tree.