How to MILLIONS tonts of Custard Apple Harvested & Processed 🍈 | Agriculture Technology

On the fertile lands of Colombia, sprawling custard apple orchards not only beautify the landscape, but also symbolize the strength of the nation's thriving agricultural industry. With an annual production exceeding 200,000 tons, Colombia plays a significant role in the tropical fruit export market. Approximately 70% of the country's custard apple production is exported to international markets each year. Colombian custard apples are renowned for their delicate sweetness and distinct aroma, making them a favorite in many countries. The custard apple industry contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the national economy and creates tens of thousands of jobs for local communities. Colombian custard apples are more than just a fruit. They represent sustainable growth and innovation in agriculture, enhancing the value of the country's produce on the global stage. Green Agriculture Technology, Discovering the Journey of Custard Apples in Colombia. Have you noticed any differences between custard apples grown in Colombia and those from other tropical countries? Share your thoughts after watching this video. Colombia, especially regions like Valle del Calca and Antioquia, is among the most prominent areas for growing custard apples in the country. Additionally, tropical climate zones like Santander provide ideal conditions for cultivating this unique fruit. Before planting, it's essential to improve the soil to ensure an optimal growing environment for the plants. You can enrich the soil by adding organic fertilizers or manure to provide the necessary nutrients, making the soil more fertile and aerated. This practice not only enhances the soil structure, but also improves its water retention and drainage capabilities, creating ideal conditions for the plant roots to grow robustly and absorb nutrients effectively. Selecting a healthy, disease-free scion is the first critical step in growing custard apple trees through grafting. The ideal scion should be 6 months to 1 year old, with a diameter of 0.197 to 0.394 inches, ensuring sustainable growth. Grafting requires meticulous technique. Both the scion and the rootstock should be precisely cut at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, maximizing the contact area and enhancing the connection between the two parts. Ensure that the bark of the scion and the rootstock align from intense sunlight to help the scion establish itself and grow effectively. Once the scion develops strong roots and grows vigorously, you can remove the old rootstock, allowing the grafted seedlings, custard apples can also be grown from seeds. This method begins with extracting seeds from ripe fruits, then soaking and germinating them until they sprout. Once the seeds have sprouted and the seedlings are sturdy enough, they are transplanted into the soil. Although growing from seeds may take more time compared to grafting, it is a natural approach to propagating custard apple trees, especially in areas where seedlings are not readily available. Once custard apple trees reach a certain level of growth, they are transplanted to larger plots for cultivation. The soil for planting should be loose, well-drained, and rich in organic matter to support healthy growth. A soil pH of 5.5 to 7 is ideal as it enhances nutrient absorption by the plants. Custard apples thrive in warm climates with an optimal temperature range of 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius, providing the perfect conditions for growth, flowering, and fruiting. Before transplanting to the field, the soil should be enriched with organic fertilizers or manure. A fertilizer spreader is an agricultural tool that ensures the even and precise distribution of fertilizers, saving time and effort. The machine can apply organic, chemical, or biofertilizers, ensuring crops receive adequate nutrients. Using a fertilizer spreader minimizes waste, boosts crop yields, reduces labor requirements, and enhances the overall efficiency of agricultural production. Custard apple trees thrive in warm climates with an ideal temperature range of 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. To ensure adequate space for growth, maintain a distance of 9.84 to 13.12 feet between trees. Each planting hole should be carefully prepared, measuring approximately 15.75 inches wide and 11.81 inches deep. During planting, dig a hole, place the seedling in the center, and ensure the roots are not bent. Fill the hole with soil, covering the base of the plant, and water regularly to maintain sufficient moisture for healthy growth. After planting custard apple trees, it is essential to prepare wooden stakes and sturdy wire to support the young trees, especially during the initial stages when they are still fragile. The wooden stakes help keep the trees upright, while the wires should be tied gently to avoid damaging the trunk. This practice ensures the trees grow straight, minimizes the impact of strong winds, and creates favorable conditions for flowering and fruiting. Custard apple trees require adequate watering for healthy growth, especially during critical growth stages. A drip irrigation system is an ideal choice, providing consistent and efficient water delivery while preventing water logging. This system ensures water is distributed directly to the base of the tree, promoting optimal growth and conserving water resources effectively. Pruning is essential for custard apple trees to grow vigorously and produce the tree can concentrate nutrients on healthier branches, enhancing its flowering and fruiting containing key nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, provides essential nourishment for custard apple trees, promoting vigorous growth and development. A fertilizer sprayer is a valuable tool for evenly and efficiently distributing fertilizers to custard apple trees. Modern sprayers are typically designed to apply fertilizers in liquid or powder form, delivering nutrients directly to the leaves or the soil around the tree's base. Using a sprayer saves time and effort while ensuring even application of fertilizers, promoting healthy growth, improved flowering, and higher fruit yields. Custard apple trees typically bloom from late spring to early summer. Around April or May, as the weather warms up and sunshine increases, the trees produce small, delicate white flowers. These flowers grow in clusters and have a gentle, pleasant fragrance. However, the exact blooming period can vary slightly depending on the period when custard apple trees are vulnerable to pests such as mealybugs and aphids, which can harm the tree's development and reduce future yields. To effectively protect the trees and ensure high fruit production, regular and proper pest control measures are essential. Applying biological pesticides every seven to ten days is recommended. These eco-friendly solutions not only manage pests but also preserve soil ecosystems and minimize the risk of chemical residues on the trees and fruits. Additionally, regular tree inspections are crucial reach the desired level of ripeness, farmers carefully select them and gently wrap each fruit and paper. The paper serves as a protective barrier, shielding the custard apples from external environmental factors. Additionally, the wrapping prevents pests and insects from invading the fruit, minimizing damage caused by infestations. Harvesting custard apples requires skill and experience. To obtain ripe, sweet fruits, farmers carefully inspect each fruit. When the skin turns golden yellow with brown spots and the stem becomes slightly soft, it indicates that the fruit is ready to harvest. At this stage, farmers gently cut the stem with specialized shears, ensuring the fruit and branches remain undamaged. Freshly picked custard apples are typically done early in the morning when the air is cool. After harvesting, the fruits are stored in a well-ventilated, shaded area to avoid direct sunlight. Ripe custard apples not only bring joy to farmers' families but also enrich fruit platters in households everywhere. After harvesting, custard apples are transported to processing facilities to be transformed into value-added products, with custard apple ice cream being one of the most popular options. At the facility, the fruits undergo quality checks and only ripe, undamaged fruits are selected. After thorough washing, the fruits are deseeded and the pulp is extracted, pureed, and mixed with milk, fresh cream, sugar, and natural flavorings. This mixture is then processed in ice cream machines, where it is whipped and rapidly chilled to achieve a smooth, creamy texture. The finished custard apple ice cream is securely packaged and stored in cold storage before being distributed. You can easily make custard apple ice cream at home with a simple process. Start by scooping out the pulp of the custard apple and removing the seeds. Blend the pulp with condensed milk, fresh cream, and a bit of sugar until smooth. Pour the mixture into molds and freeze for four to six hours, and you'll have a delicious, refreshing custard apple ice cream ready to enjoy. Custard apples are not only delicious, but also packed with nutrients that are beneficial for health. Rich in vitamin C, custard apples boost the immune system and provide antioxidant protection. Their vitamin B6 content supports brain function and helps reduce stress. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, which promotes heart health and helps regulate blood pressure. The fiber in custard apples aids digestion, alleviates constipation, and improves gut microbiota. With natural levels of magnesium and copper, they contribute to maintaining strong bones and enhancing energy levels. Truly, custard apples are a fruit that is both nutritious and delightful to eat.