Horticulture farmers can boost income with spine gourd farming

Kolkata: Spine gourd belongs to the family Cucurbitaceous; this vegetable is replete with nutrition. However, it is not being used much due to a lack of information to common people. Horticulture farmers have good scope if they grow spine gourd. Its farming is likely to increase their income. It can be grown in diverse agro-climatic conditions, making it an important crop for tropical and subtropical environments.

Researchers have developed new varieties, giving better productivity and profit to farmers. Currently, its cultivation is being done for commercial purposes. At present, three varieties are common, such as Indira Kankoda 1, Indira Kankoda 2, and Chhattisgarh Kankoda-2.

Spine gourd needs a hot and moist climate. Warm, subtropical weather is suitable for its harvesting. West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are the leading producers of this vegetable. It is also a common staple in tribal cuisine and occurs wild in the woodlands of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

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The sponge gourd has a lot of medicinal properties, such as β-carotene, vitamin C, and minerals like potassium and phosphorus. This helps digestion and boosts immunity. The vegetable improves the general health of an individual. Previously, its tubers were used for several diseases, such as headaches and diarrhea, and even used for removing the kidney stone. The seeds of the vegetable are a boon for the respiratory disease, and the leaves of this vegetable reduce fever.

Seeing the significant importance of spine gourd, horticulture farmers are being encouraged to start its cultivation and increase its yield because its growth can increase farmers income and improve their economic conditions as well.