Lessons

After harvest: grading, drying and storage

Knowing when to harvest, and grading, drying, storing and packing produce, crop by crop.

The advice below comes from each crop's guide — every item shows its source, region and date. It is pending expert review; ask your local officer whether it suits your area.

Crops with advice (33)

Tap a crop to open its advice.

  • Paddy1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • When to harvest and how to store

      Drain the water from the field 7–10 days before the expected harvest date; this hastens maturity and improves harvesting conditions. When 80% of the panicles turn straw colour, the crop is ready (the leaves of some varieties may still be green). Confirm by dehusking a few grains from the most mature tiller: if the rice is clear and firm (hard dough stage), harvest, thresh and winnow. Dry the grain to 12% moisture for storage.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Transplanted rice – Harvesting, p. 27
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Maize1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest, threshing and storage

      At maturity the sheath covering the cob turns yellow and dry, and the seeds become fairly hard and dry; the crop is then ready for harvest. Remove the cobs, harvesting in a single stage for easy transport. Dry the cobs in the sun until the grains are dry, separate the grain with a mechanical thresher (or by running a tractor over the dried cobs), clean by winnowing, and store the dry grain in gunny bags.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize – Harvesting and threshing, p. 111
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Jowar1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and threshing

      When the crop matures, the leaves turn yellow and look dried up, and the grains are hard and firm. Harvest by cutting the earheads separately. Cut the stalk after a week, let it dry and then stack it (for tall varieties, cut the stem 10–15 cm above the ground, then separate the earheads). Dry the earheads and thresh with a mechanical thresher, a stone roller or cattle; then dry the produce and store it.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Harvesting and processing, p. 73
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Groundnut2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Signs of maturity and harvesting

      Drying and falling of older leaves and yellowing of the top leaves indicate maturity. Pull out a few plants at random and shell the pods: if the inner shell is brownish black and not white, the crop has matured. If the soil is dry, irrigate before harvest to make pulling easier. Do not keep pulled-out plants in heaps when they are wet, as the pods will start sprouting.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut (rainfed) – Harvesting (i–iv), p. 187
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Drying and storing pods

      Strip the pods from the plants. Dry the pods in the sun for 4–5 days, and repeat drying for 2–3 more days after an interval of 2–3 days to ensure complete drying. When the temperature is very high, avoid direct sun drying. Collect the pods in gunny bags and store them on the ground over a layer of sand, so that no moisture reaches the dry pods.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut (rainfed) – Harvesting (v–vi), p. 188
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Cotton2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Drying and keeping kapas

      Dry the kapas in the shade immediately after picking; if it is not dried immediately, its colour changes. Do not dry kapas in direct sun, as fibre strength and lustre will be lost. Grade the kapas into good and second quality if not sorted at picking. Spread a thin layer of dry sand on the ground and keep the kapas over it.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cotton – Post harvest operations, p. 265
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Protect the market value of kapas

      Do not mix stained, discoloured or insect-damaged kapas with good kapas: they spoil the good kapas too and lower the market value of the produce. Trash sticking to kapas, colour change from delayed drying, and sun-drying also lower the market value.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cotton – Harvesting (note) & post harvest operations, p. 265
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Chilli1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Quality of dry chilli for market

      Grade specification for dry chilli given in the source: well dried (12% moisture), big size, bright red colour without white chillies, uniform size, and 1.5–2 inches long.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Chilli – Market information: grade specification, p. 78
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Mango1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest season and grading

      Harvest season given in the source: March to June. Grade specification: firmness, no decay or defects, uniform size and shape, skin colour, flesh colour and flavour. Size grades: small – less than 200 g; medium – 201–400 g; large – 401–600 g; extra-large – 601–800 g.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Mango – Harvest; Market information (grade specification)
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Pearl millet1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest, threshing and storage

      At maturity the leaves turn yellow and look dried, and the grains harden. Cut the earheads separately; cut the straw a week later, let it dry and stack it. Dry the earheads and thresh with a mechanical thresher, a stone roller or cattle. Dry the grain below 10% moisture and store it in gunny bags; mixing 1 kg of activated kaolin per 100 kg of grain reduces rice weevil and rice moth.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cumbu – Harvesting the crop, p. 87
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Finger millet2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest in two stages

      Ragi does not mature uniformly, so harvest in two stages. First harvest: when the earhead on the main shoot and 50% of the earheads have turned brown, cut all brown earheads. Second harvest: 7 days later, cut all the earheads including green ones; heap them in the shade for one day without drying so the grains cure. Then dry, thresh, winnow and store in gunny bags.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ragi – Harvesting, pp. 96–97
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Threshing, drying and storage

      Dry the earheads until seed moisture is 15%, then thresh with a bamboo stick or a machine. Pre-clean the seed before sun-drying, and dry to 12% moisture before grading. For grain, dry to 10% moisture before storage. For seed, mix 1 kg of activated kaolin per 100 kg and pack in gunny or polythene-lined gunny bags.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ragi – Threshing, cleaning & storage, p. 97
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Bengal gram1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Storing seed safely (pulse beetle)

      Dry the seeds adequately to bring moisture down to 10%. Use pitfall traps (or the two-in-one model trap) to find when pulse beetles from the field emerge in storage, and sun-dry the produce accordingly. Pack in polythene-lined gunny bags for storage.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bengalgram – Storage pests, p. 164
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Green gram1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Storing seed safely (pulse beetle)

      Dry the seeds adequately to bring moisture down to 10%. Use pitfall traps (or the two-in-one model trap) to find when pulse beetles carried over from the field emerge in storage, and sun-dry the produce accordingly. Pack in polythene-lined gunny bags for storage.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Greengram – Storage pests, p. 149
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Cowpea1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Storing seed safely (pulse beetle)

      Dry the seeds adequately to bring moisture down to 10%. Use pitfall traps (or the two-in-one model trap) to find when pulse beetles emerge in storage, and sun-dry the produce accordingly. Pack in polythene-lined gunny bags for storage.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cowpea – Storage pests, p. 156
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Sesame1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Curing, threshing and storage

      Pull out the plants and stack them in a circle in the open, stems pointing out and tops pointing in; cover the top with straw and cure for 3 days. Shake the plants — about 75% of the seeds fall. Dry one more day and shake again. Winnow, sun-dry the seed for 3 days stirring every 3 hours, and store in gunny bags. For storage pests, mix 1 kg of activated clay with 100 kg of well-dried seed.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sesame – Harvest (curing & threshing), p. 202
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Sunflower1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and drying

      When the bracts on the back of the flower heads turn lemon yellow and the heads harden, the crop is ready. Reflective ribbons scare birds away and prevent grain loss. Cut only the flower heads. Dry them in the sun for 3 days immediately after harvest, spread in a thin layer and turned every 3 hours; then thresh and clean. Do not heap or store the heads before they are properly dried, or mould will spoil the grain.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sunflower – Judge when to harvest; harvesting, p. 219
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Castor1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest

      Harvest when one or more capsules on a spike show signs of drying. Cut the matured spikes (racemes) without damaging the secondary branches. Dry the capsules in the sun — do not heap them in the shade — and shell the dried capsules in a sheller. Castor is harvested in several pickings; the source gives first, second and third harvests about 30 days apart for its hybrids.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Castor – Harvesting the crop, pp. 209–210
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Safflower1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and threshing

      At maturity the leaves and whole plant lose their colour and turn brown. Cut the plants at the bottom, keep them on the threshing floor and beat the heads with sticks until the mature seeds separate. Winnow, sun-dry, and store the seed in gunny bags.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Safflower – Harvesting, p. 225
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Niger1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and threshing

      At maturity the leaves and whole plant lose their colour and turn brown. Cut the plants at the bottom, keep them on the threshing floor and beat the heads with sticks until the mature seeds separate. Winnow, sun-dry, and store the seed in gunny bags.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Niger – Harvesting, p. 251
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Brinjal1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Quality for market

      Grade specification given in the source: colour, size, glossy, smooth and tender fruits. Colours: light purple or dark purple, green, or purple with white stripes. Size: 25–30 cm long, oblong or round.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Brinjal – Market information (grade specification), p. 67
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Okra1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Quality for market

      Grade specification given in the source: light or dark green, hairy or tender smooth surface, 5-ridged, staying tender for a longer period, medium length.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bhendi – Market information (grade specification), p. 72
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Onion3 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest, curing and grading

      Harvest 75–160 days after planting, depending on the variety; the correct time is one week after 50% of the tops have fallen. Stop irrigation 15 days before harvest. After lifting, cure the bulbs with their tops in the shade for 10–15 days to remove field heat, then sort and grade before storage.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Big onion – Harvesting and post-harvest management, p. 153
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Reducing sprouting in storage

      The source states that a pre-harvest spray of maleic hydrazide at 2500 ppm prevents sprouting of bulbs in storage, allowing storage for 6–7 months.

      Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Big onion – Harvesting and post-harvest management, p. 153
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Yield and grades

      Yield given in the source: 15–18 t/ha in 140–150 days. Grades by colour and size: extra large (above 6 cm diameter), medium (4–6 cm) and small (2–4 cm); light red or light purple colour. Actual yields depend on variety, season, care and local conditions.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Big onion – Yield; market information (grade specification), p. 152
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Ash gourd1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Maturity and storage

      Fruits for seed reach maturity 80–85 days after flowering, when the fruit stalk dries and the ashy coat on the fruit is prominent; reject undersized fruits. Mature fruits can be stored on a sand bed at room temperature.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ash gourd – Harvest; fruit storage, p. 95
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Potato1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Yield and grades

      Yield given in the source: 15–20 t/ha in 120 days. Grades in Tamil Nadu markets: Thala 40–60 mm, Rasi 20–40 mm, Podi 10–20 mm; hard tubers with long shelf life and pure yellow colour are preferred. Actual yields depend on variety, season, care and local conditions.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Potato – Yield; market information, p. 137
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Elephant foot yam1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and seed corms

      Ready about 8–9 months after planting, when the plant has fully died back. For seed, corms can be left in the field until the next planting, or lifted and stored in sand or paddy straw.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Elephant foot yam – Harvesting; yield, p. 144
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Turmeric2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and seed storage

      At maturity the plants start lodging, yellowing and drying. Dig out the rhizomes with a spade or digging fork. Seed rhizomes can be stored in open sand under partial shade.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Turmeric – Harvest; storage of seed rhizomes, p. 173
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Yield given in the source

      Fresh rhizomes: 25–30 t/ha; cured rhizomes: 5–6 t/ha. These are Tamil Nadu figures; actual yields depend on variety, care and local conditions.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Turmeric – Yield, p. 173
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Ginger1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and grades

      Harvest after 8–9 months, when the leaves start yellowing and drying. Dry ginger is traded in grades such as garbled or ungarbled, bleached or non-bleached, Cochin or Calicut ginger.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ginger – Harvest; grade designation, p. 175
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Black pepper1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and drying

      Harvest starts from the 3rd year, in November–March. Pick whole spikes by hand when a few berries turn red. Separate the berries, dip them in hot water (80 °C) for one minute, and sun-dry for 7–10 days.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pepper – Harvest, p. 167
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Cardamom1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest

      Harvest starts from the 3rd year, with economic yields from the 5th year. Pick once a month, taking capsules that are just ripe but not fully ripe — fully ripe capsules split on drying and lose the dark green colour.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cardamom – Harvest, p. 170
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05
  • Papaya1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Extra income from papain

      Papain (dried latex) is used in brewing, as a meat tenderiser, and in textiles, leather and medicines. Tap 75–90-day-old immature fruits early in the morning (finish before 10 a.m.) with four equally spaced cuts from stalk to tip, not deeper than 0.3 cm; repeat four times at 3-day intervals on fresh surfaces. Shade-dry or quickly dry the pooled latex at 50–55°C, sieve, powder, and pack airtight. Exposure to air lowers papain quality.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Papaya – Papain extraction, pp. 34–35
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Sapota1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Yield and grading

      Yield given in the source: 20–25 t/ha per year. Fruits are graded as large, medium and small based on size and shape. Actual yields depend on variety, care and local conditions.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sapota – Yield; market information, p. 32
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Acid lime1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and handling

      Bearing starts 3–4 years after planting. The tree flowers almost all year, with three main flushes: June–July (Mrig bahar), September–October (Hast bahar) and January–February (Ambi bahar); Hast bahar fruit, harvested in summer, fetches the best price. Fruits mature 5–6 months after flowering; pick them when the colour just starts to change. Peak harvest: July–September and November–January. Grade by size and colour; pack in bamboo baskets or crates lined with green leaves.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Acid Lime – Harvest; post harvest handling, pp. 14–15
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Tuberose2 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Picking and grading

      The crop lasts about 2½–3 years. For loose flowers and concrete, pick individual florets daily in the early morning (before 8 am) as they start to open. For cut flowers, cut the whole spike leaving 4–6 cm at the base. Spikes are graded by stalk length, rachis length, number of flowers and weight; straight, strong stems free of bruises, pests and disease are preferred.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tuberose – Crop duration; harvest; grading, p. 260
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
    • Lifting and storing bulbs

      Bulbs mature when flowering stops and leaves turn yellow and dry in winter (February–March); stop irrigation and let the soil dry. Cut the leaves at ground level, dig out the bulbs and shake off the soil. Separate the offsets by hand for next season, and grade bulbs as mature (over 1.5 cm diameter) or immature. Dry the bulbs on shelves, turning them every few days to prevent fungal rot.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tuberose – Lifting, curing and storage of bulbs, p. 261
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Cashew1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Harvest and drying

      Trees start yielding from the 3rd year; peak picking is March–May. Good nuts are grey-green, smooth and well filled. Separate nuts from the apple and sun-dry for 2–3 days to 10–12% moisture. Well-dried nuts packed in polythene (alkathene) bags keep for 6 months.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cashew – Harvest, p. 203
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-04
  • Coffee1 recommendations
    Full guide for this crop →
    • Yield given in the source

      The main picking of ripe berries is in December; stripping collects all remaining berries, and gleanings (fallen berries) are dried separately after removing unripe ones. Yield given in the source: 750–1000 kg/ha of dry parchment. Actual yields depend on variety, plant age, care and local conditions.

      Pending expert review
      Source
      Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Coffee – Harvest; yield, pp. 200–201
      Region
      Tamil Nadu
      Last updated
      2026-11-05