In India, many farmers are shifting from traditional crops to horticultural crops, especially vegetables, due to their shorter growing periods and high yields.
Traditional crops often require more time to mature, making vegetables a more attractive option.
Among these, radish is a particularly profitable winter crop, as it grows quickly and sees high demand in the colder months.
Ideal Conditions and Profitability of Radish Cultivation
Radish can grow in various soil types, though sandy loam soil is best for high production.
Shekhar Yadav, a farmer from Sahelian village in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district, earns between 60,000 to 70,000 rupees per radish crop.
He mainly focuses on vegetable farming, which provides higher profits.
Shekhar mentioned that the total cost of cultivating radish on one bigha is about 2,000 rupees, while the profit can go up to 70,000 rupees.
To prepare the land, the field is plowed 3 to 4 times, weeds are removed, and soil ridges are formed for planting radish seeds. Irrigation begins about a week after germination.
Popular Varieties of Radish and Health Benefits
India grows various radish varieties suited to different soils and climates, but high-yield varieties like Pusa Himani, Pusa Desi, Pusa Chetki, Pusa Reshmi, Japanese White,
and Ganesh Synthetic are especially popular. Besides being profitable, radish is also nutritious. Its consumption aids digestion, helps control blood sugar,
and can prevent winter ailments like cough and cold. Rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, radish supports heart health and overall well-being.