Maitri Park, Bordi (M.T.D.C. approved) Holiday and peaceful stay in Chikoo (sapodilla) forest. Prashant Patil – The owner has 4 acres of farmland and about 200 Chikoo plants.

I – The curious one as always. Questions about Chikoo – The fruit and Chikoo – The plant and the knowledge shared by Prashant Patil has 25 years of agriculture experience.

Chikoo is the main crop/plant within Bordi but yes, there are Lychee and mango trees that are also grown by the Parsi community. Intercrop such as banana is grown in-between because a good Chikoo plant takes 5 years for good fruits and for first-year growth Chikoo requires shadow. Intercrop plant helps for the same.

Chickoo is grown with the grafting method i.e., Chauda locally said but as history says: it is a plant of Iran brought by the Parsi community when they arrive in India.

Within Bordi, there are 150-year-old Chikoo plants existing within Parsi community farms. After heavy rains in the month of August, Chikoo grafting is done. Chikoo requires good water but water should not be stored. Rayan (locally said plant) and Chikoo are joined together while grafting and are grown until dislocated to insert into the earth for further growth.

Chickoo takes 5 years to grow fully for good fruits. After 6 months of earth plantation Chikoo – the fruit starts growing but good fruits to eat are only possible after 5 years of the plantation.

Chikoo – The fruit is always visible outside the leaves where sunlight is the most. You won’t find Chikoo inside a Chikoo tree. The better sunlight – The more Chikoo – The fruit. Local Adivasi people are masters to locate which Chikoo is ready and which is not. They help to select to dislocate Chickoo – The fruit from the tree for selling. First flowers are seen within Chikoo tree leaves and after 4 months Chickoo – The fruit start growing. Actually, the flower turns into fruit.

June, July, December, and January is the best time for fruits. A 25-year-old tree produces 200-250 kg of Chikoo fruits. The logic is whenever old leaves leave trees and new leaves arrive, the flower is seen and it turns into fruit and it happens two/or three times a year. It is yet to be known how old can be a Chikoo plant but yes, 150 years old plants are still providing fruits and very good fruits.

The wholesale price is Rs. 4-5 per kilo – The farm rate but reaching the customer the price is Rs. 25 per kilo i.e., kg.

Why Chikoo is grown mostly at Bordi or nearby areas?

Because of humidity, black soil is required and Bordi is the best for the same. There is about a 1 crore plant within Bordi, Golwad, and nearby places. No fertilizer and no pesticides are used for the Chikoo plant and that is the best about the plant.

Wow – That is great – no fertilizer – no pesticides. Great plant. Thank you Sir Thank you – said I and a walk in the Chikoo forest.

I notice even jackfruit is present there. Lovely – said I.