It is a tropical fruit which is native to Mexico. It belongs to “Caricaceae” family and “Carica” genus. It is a fast growth plant which has long fruiting period and contains high nutritional value. India is known as the largest producer of papaya. It can be grown in pots, greenhouse, polyhouse and containers. It also has health benefits such as it helps to relieve constipation, cancer, helps in lowering cholesterol, and helps in fighting with cancer cells. It is a rich source of Vitamin A and C. In India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, west Bengal, Orissa, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, U.K., Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are major states doing papaya farming.

In Himachal Pradesh papaya farming is done above 800m height from sea level. It is mainly grown in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra and Panwta region and in Solan it is cultivated in Nalagarh region. 
 

It is grown in wide range of soils. Hilly soil having well drainage system is suited best for papaya farming. Avoid cultivation in sandy or heavy soil. The pH soil ranging from 6.5-7.0 is best for papaya farming.

Washington: less seeds, big size fruits, yellow color flesh, sweet in taste, male plants are smaller than female plants, plant is comparatively smaller in size.

Honey Dew: Big size fruits containing less seeds, comparatively less sweet in taste, tasty fruit, and male plants are smaller than female plants, medium height plants.

Coorg Honey: Very less seeds, big size fruit, less sweet than Honey Dew variety and plants are having high height, male and female fruits bear on same tree.

C O-2:  Large size fruits and plant has medium height.

Pusa Delicious:  Medium sized fruit, flesh is deep orange in color having good fragrance and good taste.

Pusa Dwarf: The flowering starts when the plant attains the height of 30cm from the ground, medium sized fruits, suitable for intensive farming.

Other state varieties:

Co-1, Co-3, Solo, Pusa Nanha, Ranchi Selection, Coorg Green Sunrise Solo, Taiwan and Coorg Green are suitable varieties grown in different states.
 

For papaya farming, well prepared land is required. To bring the soil to fine tilth leveling is required. At the time of last ploughing, apply FYM (Farm Yard Manure).

Time of sowing:
In spring season, planting is done in February-March, in monsoon season, planting is done June-July month and in autumn season, planting is done in October-November month.

Spacing:
Use plant to plant spacing of 3 X 3m.
 
Sowing depth:
1cm deep seeds are sown.

Method of sowing:
Propagation method is used.
 

The seedlings are prepared in the polythene bags having dimensions of 25 X 10cm. In these polythene’s, 8-10 holes are done having 1mm diameter on lower part for proper drainage of water. Polythene bags are filled with equal proportions of FYM, soil and sand. Mainly seeds are sown in polythene bags in 2nd week of July to 3rd week for September. Before sowing treat the seeds with Captan@3gm per kg seeds. Drenching is done with Captan@0.2% when seedlings emerge out to protect them from damping off disease. Transplanting of seedlings is done in September-October month.

Do not add any fertilizer at the time of plant transplanting. Afterwards N:P:K(19:19:19)@1kg is added two times in February month.

Irrigation will depend upon season, crop growth and soil type.

• Disease and their control:
  

Stem rot: Water like wet spots are seen on plant stem. The symptoms get spread on all sides of the plant. Plant leaves fall apart before it is fully developed.

Treatment: To control this disease spray with M-45@300gm in 150ltr water.
 

Powdery mildew: Patchy, white powdery growth appears on upper surface of leaves also on main stem of infected plant. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. In severe infestation it causes defoliation and premature fruit ripening.

Treatment: Spraying of Thiophanate methyl 70% WP@300gm in 150-160ltr water/acre is done.
 

Root rot or wilt: The disease causes rotting of roots which ultimately result in plant wilting.

Treatment: To control this disease drenching with Saaf@400gm in 150ltr water.
 

Papaya mosaic: The symptoms appear on top young leaves of the plants.

Treatment: To control this disease spray with M-45 or copper oxychloride@400gm in 150ltr water.
 

• Pest and their control:

Aphid: They suck the sap of the plant. Aphids help in spreading disease in plants.

Treatment: To control this pest spraying with Malathion@300ml in 150ltr water is done.
 

Fruit fly: The female lays eggs in the mesocarp, after hatching the maggots feed themselves on fruit pulp which will destroy the fruit.

Treatment: To control this pest spraying with Malathion@300ml in 150ltr water is done.
 

Harvesting is mainly done when fruit attains the full size and is light green in color with a tinge of yellow at apical end. First picking can be done after 14-15 months of planting. 4-5 harvestings can be done per season.