NMK-1 शरीफा (NMK-1 Custard Apple)
The NMK-1 custard apple plant — known as Golden Sitaphal (सोने का सीताफल) — is the highest-yielding, highest-value variety of custard apple (Annona squamosa) available for commercial farming in India. While local market sitaphal sells for ₹40–60 per kg, NMK-1 Golden Sitaphal consistently fetches ₹100–150 per kg in mandis and premium markets, thanks to its large, creamy, seed-light fruit. At Madhyanchal Nursery, we supply NHB 2-Star certified grafted NMK-1 custard apple plants for commercial orchards across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Central India.
| Hindi Name | सोने का सीताफल / Golden Sitafal (NMK-1) |
| Botanical Name | Annona squamosa L. (cv. NMK-1) |
| Variety Origin | MPKV Rahuri, Maharashtra |
| Mandi Price | ₹100–150/kg (NMK-1) vs ₹40/kg (local variety) |
| Fruit Weight | 300–500 g per fruit |
| First Harvest | Year 3 (light crop) → Year 4–5 (commercial crop) |
| Yield (Year 5+) | 12 tonnes/acre (mature orchard with hand pollination) |
| Spacing | 12 ft × 8 ft = 453 plants/acre |
| MOQ (Bulk) | 500 plants minimum |
| Certification | NHB 2-Star Certified Nursery |
Why NMK-1 Commands 2.5× the Price of Local Sitaphal
Most sitaphal sold in Indian mandis comes from uncertified, seed-grown local trees. These produce small (80–150 g), seed-heavy fruit that mandis pay ₹40–60/kg. The NMK-1 Golden variety — developed by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri — is a different category of plant:
- Large fruit: 300–500 g per fruit, compared to 80–150 g for local types. A single NMK-1 tree may yield 80–120 fruits per season at maturity.
- Fewer seeds: NMK-1 has significantly fewer seeds than local varieties, giving buyers more edible flesh per kg. This is the #1 trait mandis pay premium prices for.
- Creamy texture: The flesh is dense, creamy, and sweet — premium-grade for urban fruit markets, hotels, and juice processors.
- Better shelf life: Firmer skin allows longer transit time, opening metro market sales for MP farmers.
At 12 tonnes/acre yield in a mature orchard and ₹100–150/kg mandi price, a 2-acre NMK-1 orchard in its 5th year can generate ₹24–36 lakh in revenue per season. No other fruit crop in MP achieves this income density with similar input requirements.
Commercial Farming Data: Plants Per Acre, Yield, and Cost
Farmers planning an NMK-1 sitaphal orchard need these numbers before placing an order:
| Year | Stage | Expected Yield/Acre | Estimated Revenue/Acre (₹100/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1–2 | Establishment | 0 | Intercrop income possible |
| Year 3 | First crop (light) | 2–3 tonnes | ₹2–3 lakh |
| Year 4 | Growing crop | 6–8 tonnes | ₹6–8 lakh |
| Year 5+ | Mature orchard | 10–12 tonnes | ₹10–12 lakh |
Spacing and plant count: Standard commercial spacing for NMK-1 in Madhya Pradesh is 12 ft × 8 ft, giving 453 plants per acre. This spacing allows adequate air circulation to reduce disease pressure while maximising canopy coverage by Year 4.
Setup cost (Year 1): ₹20,000–25,000 for plants + ₹40,000–50,000 for drip irrigation + ₹3,000–5,000 for land preparation = approximately ₹65,000–80,000 per acre all-in for Year 1.
NMK-1 is especially well-suited to the Madhya Pradesh climate — warm summers (38–44°C), a distinct monsoon (750–1,100 mm in most MP districts), and dry autumn months that coincide with peak sitaphal harvest season (September–November). Unlike mango, sitaphal requires no chilling hours and tolerates the erratic MP winters without flowering disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions — NMK-1 Custard Apple Plant
- Q: Is NMK-1 sitaphal suitable for Madhya Pradesh farming conditions?
- Yes. NMK-1 (Golden Sitaphal) performs excellently in MP’s tropical climate. It tolerates temperatures from 10°C to 44°C and thrives on MP’s monsoon rainfall of 750–1,100 mm. Once established after Year 2, trees become drought-tolerant and do not need supplemental irrigation in most MP districts. Districts like Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Khandwa, and Ratlam are particularly well-suited.
- Q: When does NMK-1 sitaphal start giving commercial yields?
- With grafted NMK-1 plants, the first light crop appears in Year 3. Commercially meaningful yields — 6 to 8 tonnes per acre — begin in Year 4. Peak yields of 10–12 tonnes per acre are achieved from Year 5 onward, and an NMK-1 orchard remains productive for 20–25 years with good management. Grafted plants fruit 2–3 years earlier than seed-grown sitaphal.
- Q: What is the minimum order, and how are plants delivered?
- Our minimum order quantity for bulk orchard planting is 500 plants. We supply NHB 2-Star certified grafted NMK-1 custard apple plants with healthy root balls. Pan-India delivery is available. For orders above 1,000 plants, call us to arrange direct farm delivery and planting guidance. Contact: +91-9753884743.
- Q: How is NMK-1 different from Balanagar or local custard apple?
- NMK-1 is a selected, certified variety known for large fruit (300–500 g), fewer seeds, and a creamy texture that commands ₹100–150/kg in mandis — compared to ₹40–60/kg for Balanagar or local desi types. Balanagar has firmer skin suited for long-distance transport but smaller fruit. NMK-1 is the preferred choice for MP farmers targeting premium urban markets and juice processors.
Ready to plan your sitaphal orchard? Read our complete Custard Apple Commercial Farming Guide for MP Farmers for hand pollination technique, pest management, and mandi selling strategy.
Also see: Kesar Mango Plants | Thai KG Guava Plants
Place a bulk order (MOQ 500 plants): Call or WhatsApp +91-9753884743. Our team will confirm availability, pricing per sapling, and delivery schedule for your orchard project.
