Whole or split mother rhizomes are used for planting. Plant during April with the receipt of pre-monsoon showers. The recommended seed rate is 800-1000 kg/acre.

It is a shade tolerant crop with shallow roots suitable for intercropping in coconut gardens.

Prepare the land to a fine tilth during February-March. Apply organic manure @ 160 kg/cent.

On receipt of pre-monsoon showers in April, prepare beds of size 3 m x 1.2 m with a spacing of 40 cm between beds.

Take small pits in the beds in rows with a spacing of 25cm x 25cm. Plant finger and mother rhizomes flat with buds facing upwards.

Cover the planted field with soil or dry powdered cattle manure. Mulch the crop immediately after planting with green leaves @ 15 t ha-1.

Apply recommended basal dose of fertilizers at the time of planting. A time lag of ten days should be given between application of lime and fertilizers.