Ashwagandha Farming Profit Per Acre

Ashwagandha Farming

Ashwagandha is a renowned rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda, with its roots, seeds, and leaves used in both Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. The root is commonly used to treat rheumatic pain, joint inflammation, nervous disorders, epilepsy, and as a tonic for hiccups, colds, coughs, female health issues, ulcers, and age-related weakness.

Its leaves are applied to treat swellings and carbuncles, and the juice is helpful in conjunctivitis. The decoction of the bark is used for asthma and healing bedsores. Ashwagandha is also widely used in the preparation of herbal teas, powders, tablets, and syrups.

The profitability analysis of Ashwagandha farming profit per acre reveals a highly lucrative opportunity for growers. With a total investment cost of NRs 36,000 per acre, the cultivation yields a total income of NRs 286,000, resulting in a substantial net profit of NRs 250,000. This significant return demonstrates the economic potential of Ashwagandha cultivation, especially when managed with proper agronomic practices and inputs.

The return on investment (ROI) is calculated using the formula (Net Profit ÷ Total Cost) × 100, which in this case equals (250,000 ÷ 36,000) × 100 ≈ 694.44%. This exceptionally high ROI confirms that Ashwagandha farming profit per acre can be nearly seven times the initial cost, making it a highly rewarding venture for farmers seeking sustainable income from medicinal crop cultivation.

Land Preparation

Land preparation requires a well-pulverized, leveled, and well-drained soil to ensure optimal crop growth. It begins with deep ploughing (20–25 cm) using a mouldboard plough to break hard pans and improve soil aeration, followed by 2–3 cross harrowings to break down clods and achieve a fine tilth.

During the final harrowing, 5–10 tonnes per acre of well-decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or compost should be incorporated to enhance soil fertility. The field must be cleared of weeds and previous crop residues, and in areas susceptible to waterlogging, raised beds should be prepared for better drainage.

Soil Type

The crop thrives best in sandy loam to light red laterite soils with excellent drainage, as waterlogged conditions can lead to root rot. It can tolerate slightly alkaline soils, with an optimal pH range of 7.5 to 8.0, but does not perform well in saline or highly acidic soils.

Climatic Requirements

Major Cultivars

Seed Rate per Acre

For Ashwagandha cultivation, a seed rate of 4-5 kg per acre is recommended for direct sowing. Seed treatment is crucial for enhancing germination. Seeds should be treated with Trichoderma viride (4-6 g/kg of seed) or Pseudomonas fluorescens (10 g/kg of seed) for disease prevention, followed by soaking in water for 12-24 hours before sowing.

Nursery Management

Before sowing, the land should be ploughed using a mould board plough and harrowed twice to achieve a fine tilth, while incorporating ample organic matter to enrich the soil. Treated seeds are then sown on raised nursery beds above ground level. The seeds typically germinate within 5–7 days and become ready for transplantation in about 35 days. Before uprooting the seedlings, the nursery should be adequately watered to ease removal, and transplanting should be carried out in the main field using 40 cm wide furrows.

Planting

a) Planting Season

 b) Spacing

A spacing of 30 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants within each row is recommended, as it ensures sufficient root development and makes intercultural operations easier to carry out.

c) Planting Method

d) Number of Plants per Acre

Based on a spacing of 30 cm by 20 cm, approximately 67,450 plants are required per acre to ensure optimal plant population and uniform growth.

Intercropping

Intercropping is a common practice during the initial 2–3 months of Ashwagandha cultivation to maximize land use and help conserve moisture and provide shade for young seedlings. Suitable intercrops include short-duration, upright, non-climbing crops such as legumes like green gram (moong), black gram (urad), and cowpea (lobia); millets like foxtail millet; and early-harvest vegetables like onion, radish, and coriander. However, tall, dense, or highly nutrient- and water-demanding crops should be avoided as they compete excessively with Ashwagandha.

Irrigation

Fertilizer and Manure

The crop has low nutrient requirements and does not need heavy doses of manures or fertilizers. However, it responds well to organic inputs, and the application of 6–8 tonnes of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) per acre is recommended for optimal growth.

Weed Control

Weed control is crucial during the first 2–3 months of Ashwagandha cultivation, as the seedlings establish slowly and are vulnerable to competition. Manual weeding is commonly practiced, with 2–3 sessions recommended: the first at 20–25 days after sowing (DAS), the second at 40–45 DAS, and a third, if necessary, at 60–65 DAS, while avoiding deep hoeing near the plants to protect their shallow roots.

Mulching with organic materials like paddy straw or dried leaves, or using plastic mulch, helps suppress weed growth and conserve soil moisture. For chemical control, Pendimethalin may be applied as a pre-emergence herbicide, though post-emergence herbicides are generally not recommended.

Flowering and Fruit Management

Flowering in Ashwagandha begins around 60–70 days after sowing (DAS) and continues thereafter. For varieties cultivated primarily for root production, pinching or topping is a vital practice; removing the apical bud (top 1–2 cm) between 60–75 DAS redirects the plant’s energy from flowering and seed formation towards root development, resulting in enhanced root biomass and quality.

However, if the crop is grown for seed production, pinching should be avoided. In such cases, berries should be allowed to fully ripen on the plant, turning red or orange, and seed-bearing branches should be harvested when 70–80% of the berries are mature.

Pest and Disease Management

Common Pests

a) Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) 

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a major pest that causes galls or knots on roots, leading to stunted growth and yellowing of plants. Management includes crop rotation with non-hosts like marigold or sorghum, soil solarization, application of neem cake, use of biocontrol agents such as Paecilomyces lilacinus and Pochonia chlamydosporia, and planting resistant cultivars.

b) Spider Mites & Aphids

Spider mites and aphids are sap-sucking pests that become more problematic during dry weather, causing plant weakening and reduced growth. Effective management includes spraying neem oil at 0.5%, soap solution, or applying acaricides and insecticides such as Dicofol or Acephate at 1–2 ml per litre of water in severe infestations. Additionally, a foliar spray combining 0.5% Malathion and 0.1%–0.3% Kelthane at 10–15-day intervals has proven highly effective in controlling aphids, mites, and other insect attacks.

c) Mealybugs

Mealybugs are occasional pests that can affect Ashwagandha plants by sucking sap and causing plant stress. They can be managed effectively by spraying neem oil and removing the infested plant parts to prevent their spread.

Common Diseases

a). Damping Off (Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium)

Damping off, caused by soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium, primarily affects Ashwagandha seedlings in the nursery, leading to rotting at the base of the stem, wilting, and eventual collapse of young plants.

Effective management includes treating seeds with biological or chemical agents like Trichoderma, Thiram, or Captan at a rate of 2 grams per kilogram of seed before sowing. Additionally, raising well-drained nursery beds and avoiding overcrowding of seedlings help reduce humidity and disease spread, ensuring healthy seedling establishment.

b) Leaf Spot (Alternaria alternata)

Ashwagandha is vulnerable to several fungal, bacterial, and viral infections, with leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata being a common issue that leads to discolored spots, weakening plant health and reducing yield. For effective prevention and control, it is advised to spray the crop with Dithane M-45 at 3 grams per litre of water starting 30 days after sowing. If the disease continues, repeat the spray every 15 days. Alternatively, Copper oxychloride at 0.3% concentration can also be used for management.

c) Root Rot/Stem Rot (Fusarium spp., Sclerotium rolfsii)

Root rot and stem rot, caused by Fusarium species and Sclerotium rolfsii, are serious diseases in Ashwagandha that thrive under waterlogged conditions. Effective management involves ensuring proper drainage to prevent water stagnation, practicing crop rotation, and drenching the soil with biological agents like Trichoderma or a 1% Bordeaux mixture to suppress the pathogens and protect plant health.

Harvesting

Ashwagandha roots are typically ready for harvest 150–180 days after sowing, usually between January and March for crops sown during the Kharif season. Harvesting should be done when the leaves begin to yellow and fall off, and the berries ripen to a red or orange color, clear indicators of crop maturity.

The entire Ashwagandha plant is carefully uprooted using a spade or plough, ensuring the taproot remains intact and minimizing root breakage. After uprooting, the soil is either shaken off or gently washed from the roots to prepare them for further processing.

During processing, the roots are separated from the aerial parts such as leaves, stems, and berries, with berries reserved for seed if needed. Drying is a critical step where roots are cut into smaller pieces about 7–10 cm long and dried thoroughly—either in the sun for 7–15 days or preferably in shade or well-ventilated dryers to preserve color and quality. Properly dried roots should be brittle and snap easily, with moisture content below 10%. Finally, the dried roots are graded based on thickness, color, and the presence of the crown (root-stem junction), with thick, straight, white roots commanding the highest market price.

Yield

Although this might vary greatly according on the cultivar, soil quality, temperature, and management techniques, the dry root production of ashwagandha normally falls between 400 and 600 kg per acre. The crop can produce between 50 and 80 kg of cleaned seed per acre when cultivated, especially for seed production.

Cost of Investment Per Acre for Ashwagandha Farming

Income From Per Acre Ashwagandha Farming

Analysis of Ashwagandha Farming Profit Per Acre

The profitability analysis of Ashwagandha cultivation shows a total investment cost of NRs 36,000 and a total income of NRs 286,000, resulting in a net profit of NRs 250,000. The return on investment (ROI) is calculated as (Net Profit ÷ Total Cost) × 100, which equals (250,000 ÷ 36,000) × 100 ≈ 694.44%. This indicates a highly profitable venture with nearly seven times the return on the initial investment.

Crop Calendar For Ashwagandha Farming

Sources

Tamil Nadu Agriculture University

Department of Plant Resources, Nepal / Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited (HPPCL)

National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), CIMAP – Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Krishi Diary (Nepal), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development