Madikeri :

The tiny district of Kodagu was well known for its mandarin oranges in the 1970s-80s and was the largest producer of the juicy fruit in the state.

It lost its glory after 1990s as plants across the district died after contracting diseases.

However, after the year 2000, the district is on its way to gain its past glory as mandarin production in the area is swelling every year, thanks to the efforts of horticulture department and national horticulture mission.

Oranges are grown in coffee estates as a sub-crop.

Hundreds of coffee growers availed the facilities provided by the department and started growing mandarins.
Progressive farmer Ponnachettira Suresh, a native of Ibnivalavadi near Madikeri succeeded in growing mandarin and harvested the fruit twice a year.

This inspired many growers. Suresh says that Coorg orange is known in the market for its sweetness and is always in demand.

Suresh says, “As Nagpur oranges come to the market only in October, Coorg variety is in good demand as we get two crops in a year. At present, orange is being sold at Rs 60-70 per kg but will reduce to Rs 25-30 in October.”

Mandarin was grown in 1,320 hectares in 2013-14, which has now swelled to 1,550 hectares as the horticulture department supplied 80,000 orange plants last year.

State Horticulture Department Additional Director Paramashiva told Express on Monday that the department is providing a subsidy of Rs 16,000 per acre to growers for new plantations.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / June 21st, 2016