1. Introduction: Why Garlic Is a High-Profit One-Acre Crop Worldwide
Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the most important spice–vegetable crops in the world. It is consumed in every country and used across households, restaurants, food processing industries, pharmaceutical companies, and export markets.
The global garlic market is above $25 billion, with demand projected to grow steadily due to:
Daily household consumption
Use in pickles, pastes, sauces
Nutraceutical market
Pharmaceutical extracts (allicin)
Processed garlic industry
Garlic is a stable, high-income crop because:
Long shelf life
Strong demand year-round
Good export potential
Higher price stability
Works in open-field farming
Low pest pressure compared to vegetables
Easy storage and transport
One acre garlic farming can generate $8,000–$14,000 net profit depending on variety and market.
2. Climate Requirements
Garlic grows in a wide range but performs best in:
Temperature: 12–20°C during vegetative growth
20–30°C during bulb formation
Frost is damaging in early growth
Requires cool and dry climate for maximum bulb size
Global Garlic Production Regions
China (70% of world production)
India
South Korea
Egypt
USA (California)
Spain
Argentina
Turkey
Kenya
Ethiopia
3. Soil Requirements
Garlic grows best in:
Light loam to clay-loam
pH: 6.5–7.5
High organic matter
Soil must be loose for bulb expansion
Good drainage is essential
Soil Preparation for One Acre
Deep ploughing
Add 8 tons organic compost
Add 50 kg neem cake
Prepare raised beds (3 ft width)
Install drip lines
4. Seed Rate for One Acre (Exact Calculation)
Garlic is planted using cloves, not seeds.
Seed Requirement
250–300 kg cloves per acre (normal varieties)
200–225 kg (high-density sowing hybrids)
Garlic seed selection is critical. Good cloves = good bulb size.
Characteristics of Good Cloves
Uniform size
Disease-free
4–6 grams per clove
White or pink skin based on variety
Should not be sprouted before planting
5. Recommended Global Varieties
Softneck (best for commercial farming)
California Early
California Late
White Pearl
Yamuna Safed 2
G-282
Hardneck (cold regions)
German Red
Rocambole
Purple Stripe
Export-Preferred Varieties
NHRDF G-41
G-50
Spanish White
6. Planting Layout for One Acre
Spacing
Row-to-row: 6 inches
Plant-to-plant: 4 inches
Bed width: 3 ft
Plant Population
120,000–150,000 plants per acre
Higher density increases yield.
7. Irrigation Requirement (Exact Watering Program)
Before Sprouting
Light irrigation every 5–7 days
Vegetative Growth
20–25 mm irrigation every 7–10 days
Drip irrigation preferred
Bulb Formation
Maintain moisture at 70–80%
Maturity
Stop irrigation 15–20 days before harvest
Daily Requirement (Drip)
1–1.5 liters per plant per day during peak growth
8. Fertilizer Schedule (Professional Month-by-Month Program)
Basal Dose (Before Planting)
FYM: 8 tons
NPK 12:32:16: 40 kg
Neem cake: 50 kg
Fertigation Schedule (Through Drip)
Month 1
NPK 19:19:19 → 4 kg/week
Urea → 5 kg/week
Month 2
Calcium nitrate → 3 kg/week
Potassium nitrate → 4 kg/week
Month 3
Sulphate of potash → 4 kg/week
Magnesium sulphate → 3 kg/week
Month 4
Mono Potassium Phosphate → 3 kg/week
Micronutrients (Spray every 20 days)
Zinc sulphate 0.5%
Boron 0.2%
Ferrous sulphate 0.5%
9. Weed Management
Garlic is sensitive to weeds.
3–4 manual weedings are required.
Herbicides:
Pre-emergence: Pendimethalin
Post-emergence: Quizalofop-ethyl (for grasses)
10. Pest & Disease Control (Worldwide Standards)
Major Pests
Thrips
Control: Spinosad, fipronil
Onion Maggot
Control: Chlorpyrifos soil drench
Aphids
Control: Imidacloprid
Major Diseases
Purple Blotch
Control: Mancozeb + Carbendazim
Root Rot
Control: Trichoderma
Downy Mildew
Control: Metalaxyl
11. Harvesting Timeline
Maturity time: 120–150 days
Indicators:
60–70% tops dry
Leaves fall over
Bulbs harden
12. Yield Per Acre
Open-field yield
6–8 tons (6000–8000 kg)
With good management
10 tons (10,000 kg)
13. Global Market Prices (USD)
RegionPrice per kgUSA$2.0 – $4.0Europe$1.5 – $3.5Middle East$0.8 – $2.0Asia$0.6 – $1.5Africa$0.5 – $1.4
Export garlic
Price: $2.5 – $4.5 per kg
High-demand markets: UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
14. Profit Calculation
Revenue (example)
8,000 kg × $1.5 = $12,000
Cost of cultivation
$3,500–$5,000
Net Profit
$7,000–$9,000 per acre
With high prices → profit reaches $12,000–$14,000
15. Post-Harvest Processing
Curing (7 days)
Cleaning
Grading
Sorting
Packaging (5–20 kg mesh bags)
Storage (0–4°C)
16. Value Addition Products
Garlic flakes
Garlic powder
Garlic paste
Dehydrated garlic granules
Allicin extract
Value addition increases income 2–4 times.
17. Global Marketing Channels
Supermarkets
Hotels
Pickle manufacturers
Spice companies
Exporters
Online vegetable delivery platforms
18. Conclusion
Garlic is a stable and profitable crop with strong global demand. One acre garlic farming ensures high yield, long storage life, low risk of spoilage, and reliable market prices. Proper variety selection, drip irrigation, balanced nutrients and disease-free bulbs guarantee consistent income year after year.
19. FAQ
1. How many kg of garlic per acre?
6–10 tons depending on variety and management.
2. What is the seed rate?
250–300 kg cloves.
3. How long does garlic take to mature?
120–150 days.
4. How much profit per acre?
$7,000–$14,000.
5. Which irrigation is best?
Drip irrigation.
6. Which countries import garlic?
UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Europe.
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