Category Archives: Agriculture

Its Time for Dahlia in Kodagu Districy

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, , ,

 

The courtyards of almost all the houses in Kodagu have been brightened with colourful dahlia flowers months after the onset of rainy season. Dahlia flowers of various colours have started blooming in front of houses attracting visitors.
Different varieties of dahlia flowers found in Kodagu district. DH PhotosGarden lovers start planting dahlia saplings during the onset of rainy season. The flower, which gets rebirth every rainy seasons, start blooming within a month. It does not require any extra care to grow dahlia flowers in the garden. The very speciality of dahlia is that its flowers are not only attractive and colourful, but also are dfferent in terms of size. 

There are many types of dahlia species and each one is different from another. It is said that the plant was introduced to India by a Swedish Botanist Doll in 1789. Kodagu district is famous for the dahlia flowers as it can be seen in majority of houses. People of Kodagu are fond of dahlia flowers that they collect different types of dahlia from their neighbourhood during rainy season. It is very easy to grow dahlia that either a piece of root or stump is enough to reproduce it.

A dahlia plant grown from its root gives flowers of bigger size. A combination of sand and soil will be suitable for the dahlia plants to grow. The plant will give more flowers, if organic manures were used. Timely pruning will make the plant more strong and also will produce more flowers.

“More flowers can be obtained from one plant alone, if it was taken care properly. March-April months are suitable for dahlia plantation. The roots can be preserved in soil after the season so that it can be transplanted in the next season,” says Gayathri Raveendra, a resident of Napoklu.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / DH News Service / Madikeri / Aug 15th, 2010

 

Saving Kodagu District’s Forests

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Kodagu district, the micro hotspot of biodiversity along the Western Ghats is considered one of the eight hotspots of biodiversity in the world.
Degradation of natural forests, loss of tree cover and diversity, depletion of ground water resources, economic instability due to continuous and persistent negative impact on the mainstream activity of coffee cultivation in the form of low prices, crop loss, labour problems, increasing human elephant conflicts, land use changes, are some of the pressures calling for attention to save this landscape.

A group of likeminded people and organisations who are stakeholders and are aware and involved in conservation activities came forward to form an organisation which culminated in the Kodagu Model Forest Trust (KMFT).

An eight-pronged strategic plan to address the issues was prepared and programmes designed to rejuvenate the social, cultural, ecological and economic stability of this unique landscape. Accordingly, KMFT has been mobilising support from various organisations, funding agencies, government, research institutions, general public and NGOs who are the stakeholders for maintenance of the health of this landscape.

One such programme through partnership building with NGO-government-community is being implemented in mitigation of Human-Elephant-Conflict (HEC) in the fringe areas of the only National Park of Kodagu, Nagarahole. The project aims to understand the cause for degradation of the natural habitat of elephants, destruction of elephant corridors and work to improve the natural habitat through partnerships. The programme thus conceptualised, initiated and implemented by the KMFT is ‘The Green Village Community Forum’ (GVCF).

The partnership is between the Kodagu Model Forest, Karnataka Forest Department and the Communities living in the problem area consisting of coffee planters, plantation labourers, tribal settlement and the local governing body. The objective is achieved through education and demonstration.

The Department builds the infrastructure, while the community jointly maintains the infrastructure by generating the required funds from within the community and with technical support from the KMFT. Months ago, the GVCF (Thithimathi-Devarapura) was launched, wherein the responsibility of the maintenance of the infrastructure was handed over to the GVCF. An aspect of the programme includes the installation of solar fences and distribution of weather kits to guards.

 

source: http: //www.deccanherald.com / DHNS

 

After Ginger, its Turn of Banana in Kodagu

Agriculture, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Uncategorized, , ,
After tasting success in growing ginger in Kodagu, the farmers have started growing Cavendish variety of banana in Kodagu. There is a demand for Cavandish banana in Kerala.
Cavendish variety of banana grown in Virajpet. DH Photo The farmers were growing Cavendish banana on a pilot basis six years ago. However, now they have made it a permanent affair. The Cavendish banana grown in Kodagu is similar to that of the banana grown in Kerala. It has the same taste and size. In Kerala, Cavendish banana is used in medicine for indigestion among kids. One banana weighs 300 to 400 gm.

Every week, 10 to 15 tonnes of Cavendish banana is supplied to Calicut, Thalassery, Kannur, Kootuparambu from South Kodagu. One kg of Cavandish banana is sold between Rs 14 to 16 in wholesale in Kerala while Cavendish banana from Kerala costs between Rs 20 to 25.

Cavendish banana is grown in Balele, Karmadu, Kanoor, Mayamudi, Maldare, Ghattadalla, Siddapura, Heggala, Kedamullur, Thora, Permumbadi and Makutta. As Cavandish banana is grown in Kodagu, there is less demand for Cavendish banana from Kerala. As wholesale merchants in Kodagu are dependent on inter-state market, there is continuous demand for Cavendish banana growin in Kodagu, said merchants.

For temples

There is a great deamand for ‘Elakki’ banana grown in Kodagu in Hunsoor, Mysore, Bangalore and Kerala. ‘Marabale’ or ‘Kaadubale’ which is grown in South Kodagu has demand in temples of Tamil Nadu for making ‘Rasayana prasadam.’ The Palani temple in Tamil Nadu has been preparing ‘Rasayana prasadam’ using Marabale from Kodagu.

About five to 10 tonne ‘Marabale’ grown in South Kodagu is supplied to Palani temple every week. The cost of Marabale is Rs 7 to 8 in wholesale.

The growers supply it according to the demand from the temple.

 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / DHNS / Virajpet / May 08th, 2011