Cultivation of Aloe Vera (Grithkumari) in India

 Aloe vera belongs to the Liliaceae family. The word vera is derived from the Latin word vera, which means true.  Aloe Vera is the proper term for the medication. It includes 420 distinct plant species.

Aloe is a wild succulent perennial tropical plant that grows in arid regions of India as well as on the islands of Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, the Carary Cape, and Cape Verde. It is native to Mediterranean and African nations. This resilient tropical perennial plant can be grown in regions that experience drought. However, its potential has yet to be fulfilled.  Aloe is still a neglected plant even though it has been called “a new plant resource with the most promising possibilities in the world.”

Aloe is found uncommonly along the southern Indian coast. The main manufacturers and exporters of aloe products are China, the United States of America, Mexico, Australia, and a few Latin American nations

Alwar in Rajasthan, Satanapalli in Andhra Pradesh, Rajpipla in Gujarat, and some regions of Tamil Nadu are among the Indian states that produce aloe.

Production and Trade of Aloe Vera :

About 60% of the gel sold worldwide comes from the American continent, with Mexico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic being the top manufacturers. The rest of the internationally traded product is produced in Asia and Australia, with China and Thailand being the most significant producers. A. vera is grown commercially for the local market in Nigeria. (PROTA, 2024)

The global aloe vera market was valued at USD 890 million in 2024. The market would reach USD 1,530 million by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, according to the IMARC Group‘s estimates. Thailand is currently the market leader. The primary factors driving the market are the region’s rich soil and ideal climate, which provide optimal conditions for widespread aloe vera cultivation. Its strong export network and reasonable costs also make it a global leader in aloe vera supply.

The global market for aloe vera extract (2024) was estimated to be worth USD 2.86 billion worldwide. The market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.15% from USD 3.09 billion in 2025 to USD 5.34 billion by 2032. In 2024, Europe held a 33.92% market share, dominating the aloe vera extract industry.

Info Source (fortunebusinessinsights)

Local Names of Aloe Vera in India:

Aloe vera: Uses and characteristics of medicines:

The active ingredient in the medication is a combination of glucosides found in aloe that are generally referred to as “aloin.”

• Aloin and its gel are used to manufacture creams, lotions, shampoos, and other products because they are skin tonics, have cooling qualities, and act as moisturizers.
• Additionally, it is utilized to rejuvenate aging skin and in gerontology.
• Aloin is widely utilized as an active component in laxative and anti-obesity products.
• Numerous qualities, including emollient, purgative, antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiseptic, and cosmetic, are present in products made from aloe leaves.
• The UAS Food and Drug Administration has authorized the development of aloe vera for the treatment of AIDS and cancer.
• Aloe has long been used to treat a variety of conditions, including ulcers, acne, and urine-related issues.

 Challenges of Aloe Vera Farming;

• Insufficient light leads to poor growth.

• Water-logging situations are not suitable for Aloe Vera Farming.

• If Aloe Vera is planted in the improper soil mix, the plant will suffer some terrible repercussions.

• When Aloe Vera is placed in a hot window, it goes black and develops leaf blotches.

• If the Aloe Vera plant was stressed when we purchased it, it will confront crop growth issues as well.

Soil requirements for Aloe vera cultivation:

•  From sandy coastal soils to loamy plain soils, the plant can be grown in a range of soil types. 
•  Additionally, the crop thrives in light soils. Larger pH and higher levels of Na and K are acceptable to it
•  Black cotton soils and other heavy, medium-fertility soils grow more quickly.
• It grows well with more leaves in well-drained loam to coarse sandy loam with a pH range of up to 8.5.

 Climate requirements for Aloe vera cultivation:

• Aloe is incredibly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of climates.
• It grows just as well in a warm, humid climate as in a dry one.
• It cannot, however, withstand freezing temperatures.
• The plant thrives in areas with lower annual rainfall of 50 to 300 mm on dry,  sandy soils.
• It requires defense against low winter temperatures and snow.

Preparing the Land for Aloe Vera Cultivation:

Depending on the kind of soil, till the ground completely and bring it to a fine tilth, as aloe vera roots do not grow below 20-30 cm. Apply 6 tons of well-decomposed cow dung per acre to the soil at the time of the last plowing. Prepare a ridge and a furrow, allowing suckers to be planted 45 or 60 cm apart. Irrigate soaks should be planted 40 or 30 cm apart.

Varieties of Aloe Vera:

There are around 150 species of aloe belonging to the family Liliaceae.  Out of which, Aloe barbadensis, A. chinensis, A. perfoliata, A. vulgaris, A. indica, A. littoralis, and A. abyssinica are commonly grown varieties and have the most therapeutic value.

Sowing of Aloe Vera Crop:
a) Time of sowing:

Suckers should be planted between July and August for optimal growth. Irrigated circumstances allow for year-round sowing, except during the winter.

b) Spacing:

Ideally, a spacing of 45 cm × 40 cm or 60 cm × 30 cm is used.

c) Sowing Depth: 

Plant 3 to 4-month-old suckers in a 15 cm-deep trench.

d) Method of sowing:

Rhizome cuttings or root suckers are used to proliferate it. Medium-sized root suckers are selected for this purpose, carefully excavated without causing harm to the parent plant at the base, and then planted straight into the main field.
Aloe vera can also be propagated using cuttings from the rhizome. In this instance, the underground rhizome is also excavated and formed into cuttings that are 5–6 cm long and have at least two–three nodes once the crop is harvested.

It is rooted in sand beds or pots that have been specifically prepared, and as it begins to sprout, it is readied for transplanting. For a nursery of one acre, approximately 14,550 suckers are needed on average.

e) Seed Rate: Usually about 22,000 suckers are required for one acre land.
Seed Treatment: Use healthy suckers for cultivation. 3-4 months old suckers having 4-5
Leaves are used as planting materials.

Fertilizer Management for Aloe Cultivation:

At the time of land preparation, apply 60-80 qtl per acre of well-decomposed cow dung. Apply a basal dose of N:P: K @ 20:20:20 kg/acre in the form of urea, superphosphate, and MOP per acre.

Control of Weeds in Aloe Cultivation;

Maintain a field free of weeds by weeding and earthing up. It is necessary to weed at appropriate intervals (weeding must be done twice a year)

Irrigation Management Aloe Cultivation

Use irrigation every two weeks when the weather is hot or dry. It requires no irrigation during the rainy season, and less watering is required during the winter because the plant does not absorb as much water. As soon as the suckers are planted, the initial irrigation must be finished. Steer clear of overwatering the fields as this harms the crops. Before rewatering the crops, make sure the fields have had time to dry completely. Drenching is necessary before irrigation to let extra water drain out.

 Plant Protection of Aloe Vera Crop:

A) Managing pests of Aloe Vera: Mealybugs

 The leaves turn yellow and start to wither. 10 milliliters of methyl parathion or 20 milliliters of quinalphos in 10 liters of water are applied to the plant’s roots and shoots.

B) Disease management: Aloe vera

Black-brown leaf spots:

Brown spots are characterized by black, reddish-brown spores that form in oval or elongated pustules. The illness can spread swiftly when there is free moisture and the temperature is near 20°C. Urediospores can produce consecutive generations every 10–14 days under optimal conditions. Anthracnose: This disease causes a variety of ailments, such as dieback, twig cankers, blotches, defoliation, and shoot blight. 70% neem oil spraying aids in the recovery from the illness.

Harvesting Aloe Plants:

It takes 18 to 24 months for aloe vera to reach full maturity. It has yellow flowers throughout the year, and can be harvested four times a year. Each plant has three to four leaves chopped off. Picking can be done in the morning or the evening. The crop can be harvested for up to five years because the leaves regrow.

In India, aloe vera cultivation typically yields 8-12 tons of aloe vera leaves per acre under unirrigated conditions. Under irrigation conditions, it may yield up to 12-15 tons of aloe vera leaves.

Growing aloe vera leaves is only one aspect of aloe vera farming; another is setting up processing facilities to extract and sell aloe juice.

Post-Harvest Aloe :

Before being transported, let newly gathered plants droop and lose moisture in the field. Within 24 to 72 hours, wilting is typically observed. However, to avoid fermentation or mold growth, the plant should be kept cool and dry. You can utilize a shaded concrete floor.

Major Marketing  Centres of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants;

Source: Demand study for selected Medicinal Plants, (Vol.I) CERPA, New Delhi (2002)

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Aloe Cultivation :

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