Category Archives: Agriculture

Forest Dept plans Survey to Protect ‘Devarakadu’

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, , , , ,
The Forest Department has decided to conduct a survey to protect Devarakadu in association with the local villagers by evicting the encroached Devarakadu after monsoon.
The survey will be carried out in association with revenue department. Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Kodagu Circle Conservator of Forest K B Markandeya said “government had earmarked Rs 8 lakh to preserve Devarakadu. The government had also assured to release additional Rs 20 lakh.” 

Devarakadu spreads from half acre land to 350 acre land in Kodagu. Some of the Devarakadu lands have been encroached upon. It has been decided to evict the encroached land in association with local villagers. In this background, a joint survey will be conducted in association with revenue department. As Devarakadu RTC, survey number and other documents are with revenue department, joint survey will be conducted, he informed.

He said: “It has been decided to mark the boundary of Devarakadu by constructing a permanent fence. Instead of forest department taking a unilateral decision, it has been decided to consult Devarakadu committee office-bearers and then chalk out plans on the development of Devarakadu.”

1214 Devarakadu

Ponnampet Forest College Prof C G Kushalappa said Kodagu district has 1,214 Devarakadu spread in 2,550 hectare land. “There is one Devarakadu for every 300 acre land. Such a vast Devarakadu is not found anywhere in such a small land. In Kodagu, 165 Gods are worshipped in Devarakadu in Kodagu,” he informed.

The Devarakadu committee will fetch 90 per cent of the income by selling fallen trees in Devarakadu. “About 10 per cent will be given to the government. The funds can be utilised by the committees for the development of temples in their vicinity.”

Devarakadu have been declared as reserve forest in 1887 itself. Even 150 years ago, our forefathers were protecting Devarakadu. Hunting and felling of trees in Devarakadu is banned, he added. “We do not have complete information on the encroachment of Devarakadu. As Forest law is strong, it will not be evict the encroached area,” he said.

Prof Kushalappa said those who have voluntarily evicted the encroached Devarakadu land have been conferred on ‘Devarakadu mithra’ award. Kadanooru Devarakadu committee was given a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 for best maintenance.

 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Madikeri / DHNS / Jun 15th

 

Its Coorg Oranges vs Nagpur Oranges in Kodagu District

Agriculture, Business & Economy, , , , , ,
Now a days, Kodau-Nagpura oranges are highly discussed topic in Kodagu. The revival of Coorg orange under National Horticulture Mission and purchase of Rs 2.43 lakh worth Nagpura orange plants have given food for discussion in Kodagu.
Coorg orange which received global recognition. dh photoCoorg orange has global recognition and has attracted the attention of the customers at the global level due to its colour and taste. In 1960s, oranges were grown in 50,000 to 60,000 hectare land. However, over the years, disease attacked orange plants. As a result, the land under orange cultivation was reduced to 3,000 to 4,000 hectares. After the price of coffee rised in the international market, orange estates have disappeared in Kodagu. 

Based on the proposal of the horticulture department on the need for reviving oranges in Kodagu, the Central government released a sum of Rs one crore in 2009-10. The Horticulture department purchased Nagpura orange plants instead of Coorg Orange plants. According to officials in Horticulture department, Kodagu-Nagpura varieties are one and the same.

However, after Indian Horticulture Research Scientists reported that Nagpura variety of orange plants are not suitable for the weather in Kodagu, the discussion on Coorg and Nagpura oranges have increased. Though elected representatives from BJP tried to ascertain the fact that both the varieties are same, Congress and JD(S) are demanding Lokayukta probe into the misappropriation in the purchase of Nagpura orange plants.
Under National Horticulture Mission, 2.43 lakh Nagpura variety of orange plants have been distributed. A sum of Rs 47 lakh have been spent over it. However, distributing Nagpura variety of orange plants in a hurry without giving any information to the growers have given room for suspicion.

Another interesting thing is that the department had given advertisement in local newspaper for the supply of orange plants. However, in the tender, individuals from Hassan and Shimoga have taken the tender to supply the plants.

However, horticulture department is supporting its stand on the distribution of Nagpura variety of orange plants. In the beginning, Chettallu Horticulture Research Institute had agreed to supply 10,000 orange plants. As the demand was more, it was necessary to purchase Nagpura plants.

The geography of Kodagu is different. Kodagu receives six months rain and the temperature does not rise. However, Nagpura oranges grow under 40 degree celsius weather. With the Kodagu weather, the colour and taste of orange may vary feel scientists.

The taste of Coorg orange can not to compared with Nagpura orange, said a senior officer.

Some say that horticulture department runs eight nurseries in Kodagu and spend Rs 15 lakh annually.

Instead of purchasing 2.43 lakh Nagpura variety of orange plants, the department could have developed plants in its own nurseries in a phased manner.

However, we can not brush aside the fact that globally recognised Coorg orange will be a thing of past if Nagpura oranges start giving yield within three to four years in the district.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Madikeri / DH News Service / Oct 21st

Kodagu: Land of Coffee, Oranges

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, , , , , , , , ,
Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district with the lowest elevation in the district at 900 meters (2,900 ft) above sea-level.
Kodagu district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest, Hassan district to the north, Mysore district to the east, the Kannur district of Kerala to the southwest, and the Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. 

Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district with the lowest elevation in the district at 900 meters (2,900 ft) above sea-level.

The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 meters (5,700 ft), with Pushpagiri, the second highest, at 1,715 meters (5,600 ft).

The main river in Kodagu is the Cauvery. The Cauvery starts at Talacauvery, located on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and, with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. In July and August, rainfall is intense, and there are often showers into November. The principal town, and district capital, is Madikeri, erstwhile Mercara. Other significant towns include Virajpet and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three taluks: Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

A seed collective in Malnad

The Malnad Forest Garden and Seed Keepers’ collective was born in 2001 as a network of seed exchange groups focused on celebrating and endorsing biodiversity. From 2003, the collective began promoting sustainable livelihoods through conservation-oriented enterprises. The seed collective officially registered as a trust in 2008. Vanastree’s office is located in Sirsi town, but the collective has members scattered across Malnad (hilly region of the Western Ghats) as well as in the narrow coastal belt and in the eastern fringes of the Ghats.
Vanastree’s objectives arose out of concerns for the economic stability of the region and the danger of losing its small-scale, traditional food production system to the forces of globalisation. Vanastree, which translates as “Women of the Forest” in Kannada, also emphasises the traditional role of women in conservation.
Vanastree’s activities include: Forming a decentralised regional seed bank and one in Sirsi town; building an internship programme, supporting collective members in creating a variety of home-based conservation enterprises. These include production of value-added foods based on local cuisine, sales of crafts and other items, camps
and eco-homestays.
(vanastree.org)


All for organic agriculture

Sahaja Samrudha started as a farmer initiated group to exchange ideas, seeds and share knowledge on sustainable agriculture. It  was the culmination of individual efforts into a more exciting and powerful force to make sustainable agriculture a way of life for the farming community. Samrudha has been establishing contacts, building networks, facilitating exchange of experience and developing programmes based on the needs of farmers of specific regions.
(sahajasamrudha.org)

Send your comments to: spectrum@deccanherald.co.in or Spectrum  c/o Deccan Herald, #75 M G Road, Bangalore-560001

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Supplements / Spectrum/ Know Your District /

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