Field Bean (Avarekai) Farming Guide

Avarekai (field bean / Lablab purpureus) is Karnataka’s beloved winter vegetable-pulse, fetching ₹30–60/kg at Bengaluru’s APMC during November–January peak season. Organic avarekai yields 40–60 kg tender pods/day on a 1-acre plot, with net income of ₹40,000–60,000/acre in a 5-month crop season — making it one of the most rewarding kitchen-garden scale crops for small farmers.

Which avarekai varieties are best for organic farming in Karnataka?

Karnataka has several well-loved local varieties. HA-4 (Hebbal Avare-4) is the most popular commercial variety — it’s early-maturing (flowers in 55–60 days), produces flat green pods with a sweet flavour, and gives consistent yield. Local Doddavare from the Hassan–Mandya belt is a climbing type with large flat pods, preferred in Bengaluru markets for its sweetness and larger seed size. Konkan Safed is a white-seeded type suited for coastal Karnataka.

For dual-purpose farming (tender pods + dry seeds), grow HA-4 or local landraces. Dry bean yield is 6–8 quintals/acre at ₹6,000–8,000/quintal, providing income after the fresh market season ends.

Procure seeds from GKVK Bengaluru (University of Agricultural Sciences) or save seed from your best plants from the previous season — avarekai is open-pollinated and seed saving works perfectly.

What soil and climate does avarekai need?

Avarekai is well-adapted to Karnataka’s red laterite soils and black cotton soils with a pH of 6.0–7.5. It tolerates moderate soil moisture but not waterlogging. The Mandya, Ramnagara, Hassan, and Tumkur districts are ideal — well-drained red soils, moderate elevation (600–900 m), and a cool winter season.

Sowing time: In Karnataka, sow in August–September for a November–January harvest season. This aligns with Bengaluru’s peak avarekai festival season (the famous Ave Soppina Oota celebrations in January) when prices spike to ₹60–80/kg.

Soil prep: One deep ploughing, two harrowings. Apply 5–6 tonnes FYM or 2 tonnes vermicompost per acre. Make ridges and furrows (60 cm row spacing) for climbing varieties, or flat beds for bush types.

How do you plant avarekai organically?

Seed rate: 8–10 kg/acre for climbing varieties; 12–15 kg for bush types.

Spacing: 60 cm between rows × 30 cm between plants for climbing varieties. Provide bamboo or wooden stakes (1.5–2 m tall) with horizontal wire support if growing climbing types — this increases yield by 30–40% over ground trailing.

Rhizobium inoculation: Apply Rhizobium phaseoli at 50 g/kg seed mixed in 10% jaggery solution. This is critical for organic nitrogen fixation — avarekai can fix 80–120 kg N/acre over its life cycle.

Sow 2 seeds per hole at 3–4 cm depth. Thin to one plant after 10–12 days, retaining the more vigorous seedling. Apply Jeevamrutha (200 litres/acre) as soil drench immediately after thinning.

How do you manage water for avarekai?

Avarekai is moderately drought-tolerant once established but needs consistent moisture at flowering and pod-filling. Total water requirement: 400–500 mm over the crop season.

Irrigation schedule:

• Pre-sowing: One good irrigation if soil is dry
• Seedling stage (1–20 DAS): Light irrigation every 5–7 days
• Vegetative stage: Furrow irrigation every 10–12 days
• Flowering and pod filling: Every 7–8 days — never allow drought stress at these stages

Drip irrigation (laterals at 60 cm, emitters at 30 cm, flow 2–3 litres/hour) saves 40% water and significantly reduces leaf disease pressure by keeping foliage dry.

How do you control pests and diseases without chemicals?

When is avarekai ready to harvest?

Tender pods are ready 55–65 days after sowing for early varieties. Harvest when pods are fully expanded but seeds inside are still soft and green. The pod should snap cleanly when bent — if it bends without snapping, wait 1–2 more days.

For dry bean production, allow remaining pods to mature fully on the plant (120–150 DAS). Harvest when 80% pods turn yellow-brown, cut plants at ground level, and sun-dry for 5–7 days before threshing.

What income can you realistically expect?

On 1 acre of organic avarekai with staking (climbing variety HA-4 or local Doddavare):

• Tender pod yield: 25–35 quintals over 90 days of harvesting
• Average farm-gate price: ₹40–60/kg (November–January season)
• Gross income: ₹1,00,000–2,10,000
• Input + labour cost: ₹50,000–70,000
• Net income: ₹40,000–1,40,000/acre (higher end with direct sales)

Direct sales to Bengaluru weekly markets (Krishnarajapete market, Jayanagar 4th block market) bypass commission agents and add ₹10–15/kg to realisations. Several Hassan district farmers now sell directly via WhatsApp groups to city buyers at ₹70–100/kg.

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Last updated: March 2026