MECHANIZATION Cultural operations such as pitting, pruning and harvesting are now being mechanized.

We recommend the use of machines for increasing the productivity of the workers. The STIHL BT 120 C earth auger can increase the productivity of the worker nearly three times when compared to manual pitting. Pruning machines with spinning disc's are nearly four times more efficient than the manual pruning with knives.


PLANTING should be carried out in June in the areas receiving south-west monsoon and during August in the north east monsoon zones. About 13,000 plants are planted in one hectare following double hedge system of planting (spacing: 135 X 75 X 75 cm). Any one planning to introduce machine harvesting should consider planting distances which will be suitable for the operating of machines. Soil and water conservation measures must be adopted while new planting is taken up.