Colocasia (Arbi / Taro) Farming in India 2026
Grow low-oxalate taro corms and edible leaves for steady year-round vegetable demand.
Overview
Colocasia, known as arbi, taro or ghuiyan, is a versatile tuber crop where both the corms and the leaves sell, giving two income streams. The corms are a staple vegetable across India and the leaves are made into patra and other delicacies, especially in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the East. The high-value angle is choosing improved low-oxalate varieties that cook without itchiness and command better prices, and supplying the crop through much of the year since it can be staggered. It tolerates partial shade and waterlogging better than many tubers, fitting wetlands and orchard floors. This page focuses on the commercial vegetable and dual-product angle, with variety and marketing choices, rather than basic taro growing, so you can earn steadily from both corms and leaves.
Climate
Taro is a warm humid crop preferring 21 to 35 degrees Celsius with high humidity and 1000 mm or more of rainfall or irrigation. It tolerates partial shade and even shallow standing water, unlike most tubers, so it suits wet lowlands and the margins of ponds and rice fields. It does not tolerate frost or prolonged drought.
Soil
Taro grows on a range of soils but prefers fertile, moisture-retentive loam or clay loam rich in organic matter, with pH 5.5 to 7.0. Unlike most tubers it tolerates heavier, wetter soils, which is why it grows in lowland and waterlogged areas. For corm quality, good fertility and organic matter matter more than perfect drainage. Adding compost improves both corm size and leaf yield.
Planting & Spacing
Plant small cormels or corm pieces of 25 to 30 grams in February to June on ridges or flat beds at about 45 by 30 cm spacing, with seed rate roughly 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes per hectare. Treat seed with a biofungicide, and mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Staggered planting lets you supply leaves and corms over a longer window.
Varieties
Improved low-oxalate varieties such as Muktakeshi, Sree Rashmi, Sree Pallavi, Sree Kiran and Panchamukhi cook without throat irritation and have good market demand, yielding around 18 to 22 tonnes per hectare. Some are bred for leaf as well as corm. Choose certified low-acridity types because high-oxalate locals itch and fetch lower prices.
Care & Management
Apply FYM with balanced NPK and keep the soil consistently moist, since taro needs steady moisture for good corms. Two or three weedings and earthing up improve corm formation. If harvesting leaves, pick mature outer leaves without stripping the plant. Adequate potassium improves corm quality and storage.
Pests & Diseases
Taro leaf blight is the most serious disease in wet weather, causing big yield losses, along with corm rot and the taro hornworm and aphids on leaves. Use resistant varieties, clean seed corms, spacing for airflow, and remove infected leaves. Good field hygiene and avoiding very dense planting reduce blight, protecting both leaf and corm crops.
Yield & Harvest
Corms are ready at 5 to 8 months when leaves yellow and dry; leaves can be picked earlier and through the season. Dig carefully, separate cormels from the mother corm, and clean. Corms keep for a few weeks in cool dry conditions. Staggered planting and the dual leaf-and-corm harvest spread income and reduce market risk.
Cost & Profit
Taro is a moderate-input crop. Yields are commonly reported around 80 to 120 quintals per acre under good and improved practices. Farmers often cite net returns of roughly 1 to 1.5 lakh rupees per acre in the peak season, and more if leaves and staggered sales are added. These are indicative ranges that vary with variety, region, season and market, so verify current local prices before scaling up.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Corms sell in vegetable mandis across India with steady year-round demand, and leaves sell well in Gujarat, Maharashtra and the East for patra and similar dishes. Supplying clean, graded, low-oxalate corms and tender leaves, and staggering harvest to hit good prices, improves returns. Local retail tie-ups and FPOs help reach urban markets and processors.
Subsidy & Support
Colocasia is covered under MIDH as a tuber and vegetable crop with support for planting material and area expansion, the Government of India funding 60 percent in most states and 90 percent in Northeast and Himalayan states. State horticulture missions and RKVY support vegetable and tuber cultivation and post-harvest handling in many states.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
Which colocasia variety does not cause itching?
Can I sell both taro corms and leaves?
Can taro grow in waterlogged land?
What is the most damaging taro disease?
How can I supply taro for more of the year?
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