Growing poplar trees as a business in Arunachal Pradesh

April 18, 2025

Growing poplar trees as a business in Arunachal Pradesh can be a smart move, especially if planned well. Here’s a breakdown of the business potential and practical steps:

Why Poplar is Good for Business

1. Fast Growth = Quick Returns

Poplar matures in 5–7 years, which is fast compared to other hardwood trees.
One acre can hold 400–500 trees, depending on spacing.

2. High Demand

Used in plywood, matchsticks, packaging, pulp & paper, furniture industries.
Demand from Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, and Bangladesh adds more market options.

3. Intercropping Potential

You can grow ginger, turmeric, chillies, maize, or beans in between trees in the early years.

Steps to Start Poplar Business

1. Land Selection

Choose fertile, well-drained, flat or gently sloping land in a sunny location.
Access to water (for drip or canal irrigation) is important for the first 2 years.

2. Seedling Preparation

Propagate from cuttings or buy from a reputed nursery.
Cost per seedling: ₹5–₹15 depending on variety and source.

3. Planting

Ideal spacing: 5 ft x 10 ft (approx. 435 trees per acre).
Best time: February to March (before monsoon starts).

4. Maintenance

Irrigation, weeding, and pruning are key in the first 2 years.
Use cow dung, compost, or basic fertilizers in poor soils.
Minimal pest issues compared to fruit crops.

Financial Estimate (Per Acre, Roughly)

Activity	Cost (INR)
Land Preparation	₹5,000
Seedlings (435 trees @ ₹10)	₹4,350
Labor (planting, weeding, pruning)	₹10,000/year
Fertilizers, irrigation, maintenance (5 years)	₹30,000
Total Cost (5–6 years)	₹55,000–₹60,000
Income (timber sale)	₹2,00,000–₹3,00,000+ (depends on market rate)
Profit (est.)	₹1.5–₹2.5 lakh/acre

Market Options

Sell to:
- Plywood mills (e.g., in Assam, Bihar, North Bengal)
- Furniture units
- Middlemen or timber markets
Consider value-adding (like seasoning, sawing) for higher profit.

Tips to Scale Up

Form a farmers' group or FPO to sell collectively.
Combine with beekeeping or goat farming for side income.
Consider getting in touch with forest department or KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) in Arunachal for technical support.

Great choice! Intercropping poplar with cash crops in Arunachal can help you earn income every year while the trees grow for long-term profit.

Why Intercrop with Poplar?

Poplar sheds little shade in early years (1–3 years) – perfect for short-duration crops.
Makes use of land, water, and labor more efficiently.
Adds soil fertility if you choose legumes or organic practices.

Best Intercrops with Poplar (Year-wise)

Year 1–3 (Full Sunlight Between Trees)

You can grow:

Ginger
Turmeric
Maize
Chilli
French beans / Rajma
Black gram (urad) or green gram (moong)
Groundnut (in plains)

These are great because they:

Do well with filtered light
Are not climbers (won’t compete with poplar)
Can improve soil (legumes)

Year 4–6 (As Shade Increases)

Choose semi-shade tolerant crops:

Colocasia (arbi)
Elephant foot yam
Aromatic plants like citronella or lemongrass
Shade-tolerant vegetables (like spinach, coriander in winter)
Mushroom farming can be added nearby

If shade becomes too much, focus more on livestock or non-crop income like:

Bee-keeping (apiculture)
Poultry under trees

Example: Ginger + Poplar Model (Per Acre)

Crop	Expected Income	Time
Ginger (1,200–1,500 kg/acre)	₹1.2–1.5 lakh	Year 1
Ginger again in Year 2	₹1.2–1.5 lakh	Year 2
Poplar Timber	₹2.5–3 lakh	Year 6

Total income (6 years): ₹5–6 lakh+

Tips for Success

Use organic mulch or compost to improve soil health.
Maintain tree spacing (minimum 5ft x 10ft) so crops get sunlight.
Do regular pruning of lower branches after year 2–3.
Install drip or sprinkler irrigation to save water and labor.

Perfect! If you're avoiding ginger and garlic, no worries—there are still great intercropping options that work well with poplar in Arunachal’s climate.

Intercropping Options (Without Ginger & Garlic)

Year 1–3: Sun-loving crops

These years offer full or partial sunlight between young poplar rows.

1. Maize (corn)

Grows fast, doesn’t need too much care.
One or two harvests possible per year.
Can be sold fresh or dried.

2. French Beans or Rajma (kidney beans)

Great for nutrition and nitrogen-fixing.
Good local demand in hilly regions.

3. Turmeric Alternative: Colocasia (Arbi)

Tuber crop that loves moisture and filtered light.
Sells well in local markets.

4. Vegetables (seasonal):

Brinjal, chillies, cabbage, spinach, coriander — short-duration crops that can be harvested multiple times.

5. Soybean or Black Gram (Urad)

Legume crops that improve soil health.
Low maintenance, 90–100 day duration.

Year 4–6: As Poplar Canopy Grows

More shade-tolerant or partial-sun crops work better now.

1. Elephant Foot Yam

One of the best shade-loving cash crops.
Can fetch ₹40–60/kg in local markets.

2. Colocasia (if not planted earlier)

Still does well under partial shade.

3. Leafy greens (winter crops)

Spinach, mustard leaves, coriander — quick-growing and ideal for cooler climates.

4. Aromatic Plants (Optional)

Lemongrass, citronella — low-maintenance and usable in oil extraction or local tea mixes.

Bonus Add-Ons (Low investment):

Bee-keeping (Apiculture)

Poplar blooms are good for bees.
Great for producing local honey and pollination.

Poultry under trees

After year 3–4, when trees are taller.
Helps control pests and adds income from eggs or meat.

Example Intercropping Plan (1 Acre, Year-wise)

Year	Intercrop	Approx. Income
1	Maize + Rajma	₹50,000–₹70,000
2	Maize + Spinach	₹40,000–₹60,000
3	French beans + Brinjal	₹60,000–₹80,000
4	Colocasia	₹70,000–₹90,000
5	Elephant Foot Yam	₹80,000–₹1,00,000
6	Less intercropping	Focus on timber maturity
6	Poplar harvest	₹2.5–₹3 lakh