C.S. Satheesha keeps children from Ist to 5th standard engaged with a slew of exercises in English, Kannada and mathematics, going beyond the syllabus.
Facilitates learning via online mode in remote village in Kodagu district
A school teacher in Mullur village in Kodagu district has hit upon a tree-top solution to digitally connect with his students and ensure continuity of their education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has fabricated a make-shift room atop a mango tree using locally available materials, including bamboo and grass, besides waste materials.
Constructed at a height of 20 feet from the ground, this has helped overcome the problem of weak reception and signal of service providers in this remote village, located about 20 km from Somwarpet, which is the nearest town.
The tree-top classroom built by C.S. Satheesha, a school teacher, in Mullur village in Kodagu district.
C.S. Satheesha is a teacher at the Government Lower Primary School in Mullur. He handles classes for students from Ist to 5th standard. But the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown resulted in disruption of education of children. The impact is more in rural areas, among tribals and first-generation learners as they lack facilities or parental backup, which their urban counterparts have, to ensure continuity in learning.
Hence, Satheesha thought of keeping them engaged during the lockdown with a slew of exercises in English, Kannada and mathematics, going beyond the syllabus.
But connectivity issues forced Satheesha to do some out-of-the-box thinking. He decided to work from a tree top. It took him two months to build a classroom atop a tree.
A conventional RCC roof may have made things easier but Satheesha’s house is tiled and sloped – a building practice that is common in the coastal belt where rains are heavy – and hence he thought of this ingenious solution.
Atop the tree, the teacher not only feels safe, but a double layer of tarpaulin ensures that the make-shift office, where he imparts online classes, remains water-proof. He invested in a mobile stand and also procured a focus light, which ensures better visibility to children at the other end.
“In case of students who do not have a smartphone, I personally distribute exercise sheets during my rounds in the village as part of my COVID-19 duty with an instruction that the answer sheets would be collected by evening,” said Mr. Satheesha.
The online classes also focus on the immediate surroundings of the children. They are asked to identify a bulb, a mirror, a furniture or anything around them and describe their function in full sentences in English. Not only has this endeavour ensured continuity in learning, but children are learning how to make short videos and upload them, using the internet, for evaluation.
The day starts with a ‘WhatsApp Challenge’ comprising a set of questions tailor-made for each student, and sent out by the teacher. By evening, the challenge is accepted!
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by R Krishna Kumar /Mysuru – January 28th, 2021
K A Ponnanna from Karnataka joined IISc as a security guard, but began serving as a field assistant at the Centre for Ecological Sciences and helped mentor students in handling bees and collecting samples for research.
K A Ponnanna, a native of Kodagu in Coorg, Karnataka, grew up amid peaceful co-existence with wild rabbits, lion-tailed macaques, deer, honey bees, wasps, and several other insects and animals.
He says these creatures were his pets. “The relationship between humans and wildlife was unique, as we reared and tended to wild animals and depended on them for livelihood,” he recalls.
Speaking with The Better India, Ponnanna (70) says that as he grew older, his job took him to places including Nashik, Hyderabad, Deolali, Dharangadhara and Jammu, where he served as a technician in the communications equipment field at the School of Artillery, a training institution of the Indian Army.
Ponnanna retired in 1993 and was appointed as a security guard with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. However, within a few days, his job profile took a different turn altogether.
The security guard became a field assistant and conservator of bees until he retired in 2012. Interestingly, despite the change in role, he continued his designation of a security guard and drew a salary for the same profile. He spent all his time at the Centre for Ecological Science (CES) department attending and mentoring students for their research work.
Here is his story.
Beehive at IISc campus. / Credits: KG Haridasan.
A few days into his job as security guard, Raghvendra Gadagkar, then associate professor at IISc, struck up a conversation with Ponnanna. “He had helped rescue a few beehives in the campus and I had heard about his enthusiasm and fearless attitude. I noticed that he was interested in honey bees. Our conversation helped me understand how he grew up tending to honey bees and wasps in his native village,” Raghavendra says.
He adds that considering the experience that Ponnanna had, he requested him to volunteer in the research. “The work involves spotting honey bees and safely handling the hive, collecting samples and even bees at times. It is a delicate process. And Ponnanna proved to be brilliant in all aspects,” he says.
He adds that he was impressed by Ponnanna’s skills and passion towards bees, and that he requested the security department to transfer Ponnana to the lab with the existing designation and salary.
“It is difficult to make such arrangements in a government institution. However, the administration was flexible and recognised the value Ponnanna held,” Raghvendra explains.
A friend, mentor and philosopher
Ponnanna says he was thrilled and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the change in his profile.
“I had never attended any classes or received formal coaching on bee handling. I’d never worn clothes, gloves or held any equipment to handle bees. Moreover, I did not know the departments and their locations,” he says, modestly adding, “In my village, everyone handled bees and wildlife, and this was not unique to me.”
Ponnanna slowly got a hang of things as he worked in the lab, assisting students and researchers. “I can now differentiate between the types of bees, insects that are poisonous and non-poisonous, reptiles and other wild animals. I used the knowledge to help students in their research and accompany them during field visits to handle bees and wasps,” he adds.
The students accompanied him in batches and took help in collecting samples for their academic requirements.
Sujata Deshpande, an assistant professor at the Zoology department of Mumbai-based St Xavier’s College, was one of the PhD students who received help from Ponnanna.
Credits: KG Haridasan.
“I was studying between 1999 and 2005, and he was more like a fatherly figure and mentor. He was always punctual and never hesitated to work late hours if needed. As students, we had to roam around a lot and search for wasps. But Ponnanna knew the most likely places that we’d find them, making our job easier. He handled bees like they were his children – with utmost care and protection,” she says.
Sujata says that hurting even one insect pained him. “The bee boxes in the campus would be safe and protected under his supervision. The chances of infections and diseases among the insects were also low because of the care he took,” she adds.
The academician says the field assistant’s traditional knowledge about bees helped students understand the insects and added value to their research.
Sujata says that over the years, Ponnanna’s role further evolved as a conservator. “The bees in Bengaluru suffered habitat losses in urban areas, and he often received calls for rescuing them. He would rush to the spot before anyone could destroy the beehives,” she adds.
Echoing her thoughts, Raghvendra says, “He has saved hundreds of beehives from destruction due to burning or spraying of pesticide and offered them a safe place inside the IISc campus. Many people wanted to get rid of the beehives around their residences, but he carefully removed them and resettled them without hurting any bees.”
He says that Ponnanna also became a friend, philosopher and guide to the students.
‘Have compassion for animals’
Raghvendra retired in 2012 and joined the institution as an honorary and Department of Science and Technology (DST ) year of science chair professor. Ponnanna retired around the same time and was reassigned as a consultant where he could continue to help students.
Credits: KG Haridasan
Apart from assisting researchers, Ponnanna also rescues snakes, other insects and animals.
Sharing his views on bee conservation, Ponnanna says that the destruction of habitat and beehives are contributors to adulteration in honey. “The use of pesticides in farms affects the bee population, and the insects often suffer from infection due to poor care. All these factors affect the population and honey production. To compensate, the companies adulterate the honey and sell it only because of its sweetness, but not for the medicinal properties the natural honey holds,” he says.
He adds that there needs to be a change in which the animals, insects and other biodiversity elements in nature are treated.
Ponnanna says that students should have a more practical approach and be willing to get their hands dirty in the research. “Apart from performing experiments in the lab, students should know how to handle what they are studying in the field. Only passion and sensitivity towards subjects can help achieve that,” he adds.
Citing an example, he says, “It is not difficult to catch an elephant when humans have managed to land on the moon. But we cannot hold the animal by the neck and choke it. We need to show compassion towards birds, insects, animals and other species. We should understand their anger, behaviour and other characteristics to ensure they are not harmed.”
Edited by Divya Sethu
source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Inspirational> Karnataka / by Himanshu Nithnaware / June 23rd, 2021
Under threat of collapse due to incessant rains and possible landslides, the Kodagu DC Office is being protected with a 40-ft concrete retaining wall. But the works have started only now though the project was formally sanctioned long back and works on making pre-cast concrete slabs began in February this year.
Now the works have begun amidst heavy rains and a small portion of the wall has been built. The steep gradient on which the DC Office stands has been covered tightly with plastic sheets so that mud does not fall while undertaking the works. Rs. 5 crore is being spent on the project.
The District Administrative Office (DC Office) is located on a steep gradient along the Madikeri-Mangaluru Road and was built at a cost of Rs. 14.43 crore. It was inaugurated in November 2014 and last year, all the offices located in the DC Office Complex were shifted and they operated from the Office of City Municipal Council.
Officials requesting anonymity told Star of Mysore that the works were delayed because of COVID second wave and the tendering too got delayed though the project was sanctioned long back. The Geologists from Geological Survey of India (GSI) who conducted a study of the steep gradient on top of which the DC Office is located, had recommended the District Administration to construct a retaining wall to prevent any landslides.
The wall will be 140 meters in length and the height varies from 30 to 40 feet. The contractors are using soil nailing and pre-casting method to build the sturdy wall. In this technology, iron rods are inserted into the walls up to two to three feet inside and two to three feet outside and then the wall will be built with pre-cast concrete material.
“Works have started now and we will continue the wall construction work till July first week and will stop the work if it rains incessantly. We have a project completion time till December or January 2022,” officials said.
Mock drill
As the threat perception is high due to a couple of landslides that have occurred on the Madikeri-Mangaluru Road and following instances of road caving in and cracking open, a mock drill was conducted at the DC office last Friday where employees were evacuated.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire and Emergency Services Department conducted the mock drill where drills including evacuating the injured or the trapped were demonstrated and practiced. Ladders were placed on the outer walls of the building and ropes were used to demonstrate the preparedness in case of emergencies.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 21st, 2021
77 places have been identified as prone to landslide and flood based on experts’ advice and previous years’ data
Even as the monsoon turned active in Kodagu district, 2,868 families living in areas identified as vulnerable to flood and landslide are expected to be evacuated to relief centres by July 15.
The officers in charge of evacuation are in touch with the families who are being persuaded to leave their houses in ‘risk zones’ as a safety measure.
Seventy-seven places in towns and villages have been identified as sensitive and prone to landslide and flood based on experts’ advice and also previous years’ data. Accordingly, steps are being taken to ensure the safety of dwellers.
“The families will be shifted out from the sensitive zones by July 15. The nodal officers have been instructed to ensure their safe relocation at the earliest,” said Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal on Saturday.
Besides, 618 cattle from the risk zones would also be evacuated. Measures had been taken for establishing 17 animal shelters, she said.
A 20-member NDRF team is camping in Kodagu. Four teams each of the Fire and Police Departments dedicated for rescue operations are also ready. In addition, civil society groups and volunteers have come forward to offer their services.
The gram panchayats in the risk zones have set up local teams for rescue and relief works.
The highway connecting Mangaluru to Madikeri has been identified as a ‘sensitive’ road based on previous years’ data (the road was damaged by landslides). The Kodagu district administration has banned movement of heavy goods transport vehicles, barring those supplying essentials in view of rains.
Ms. Somal said the onus is on the PWD to reduce the risk with necessary and timely interventions, she added.
The current spell of rains has already damaged electrical poles in certain areas. The Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) is already on the task of restoring supply, and replacing damaged lines and poles.
As the rescue operations may need more earthmovers, steps have been taken to hire machines in addition to those available with the PWD and RDPR.
“We need to be prepared to deploy more such machines for rescue operations,” she said.
Ms. Somal said the authorities of Harangi dam near Kushalnagar have been asked to be on alert and ensure that the 2018 episode was not repeated. The problems faced earlier may not recur since silt has been removed, the DC added. Unexpected and excessive release of water from the dam had led to floods. Areas close to the Cauvery river in Kushalnagar town were flooded.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – June 19th, 2021
Mushrooms or toadstools are found mostly during the monsoon season especially when thunder and lightning strikes the landscape
Madikeri:
It is that time of the year when many edible mushrooms grow in the wild in the hilly district of Kodagu, making it a mushroom-lovers’ dream destination.
Mushrooms or toadstools are found mostly during the monsoon season especially when thunder and lightning strikes the landscape. As soon as the first showers hit the dry earth, residents and families, who are familiar with the areas where usually mushrooms grow, head there to reap the annual harvest — where the dormant spores lie from the previous year. And the person who sees it first, it’s all his.
A particular mushroom that evokes interest this time is the ‘Aland Kumm’ in Kodava language. Its scientific name is ‘Agaricus bisporus’, an edible basidiomycete mushroom, native to grasslands in Europe and North America. It has two colour states while immature — white and brown.
A high-fibre content food product, these mushrooms usually rise near paddy fields and sometimes seen under dense cover of coffee estates. ‘Aland Kumm’ is prepared as curry using coconut masala or as masala fry too.
The other well-known variety is ‘Kode Kumm’ (umbrella mushroom) with scientific name ‘Termitomyces clypeatus’ (solitary, grows in soil and also on termite mounds) and ‘Nuchchi Kumm’ (Termitomyces microcarpus). The cluster of this mushroom is usually spread all throughout the location in specks of white. While the ‘Kode Kumm’ is usually salted and toasted on a raw flame in the fireplace, the others are prepared as curry to consume them with rice rotis.
Interestingly, according to an on-going research, lightning makes mushrooms more plentiful. The research is based on a Japanese traditional knowledge where they welcome storms over their fields based on the belief that lightning strikes provoke plentiful harvests of mushrooms. A research is being conducted by scientists in northern Japan where they are bombarding a variety of mushrooms in lab-based garden plots with artificially induced lightning to see if electricity actually makes the fungi multiply.
The results show that lightning-strength jolts of electricity can more than double the yield of certain mushroom species compared with conventional cultivation methods.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 14th, 2021
In a move to draw more tourists to the Scotland of Karnataka, the Forest Department and local administration have created a walk-in exotic bird aviary in Kodagu
The walk-in aviary created at Cauvery Nisargadhama, Kodagu district | EXPRESS
Bengaluru :
In a move to draw more tourists to the Scotland of Karnataka, the Forest Department and local administration have created a walk-in exotic bird aviary in Kodagu. Though it was inaugurated by Housing Minister V Sommanna on Friday, it will be opened to the public only after a month.
The aviary has been created in Cauvery Nisargadhama, where a dedicated area of around 2,000 sqft for an enclosure has been created. Visitors can walk in and feed the birds. Shivaram Babu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Kodagu told The New Sunday Express that a metal structure has been erected with mesh so that peopl e and birds are not inconvenienced.
The list of birds being procured to be housed include, budgies, African lovebirds, cockatiel, Conure varieties, African grey parrot, macaw, pheasant, turkeys, geese and ducks.
A Koi fish pond and fish spa, housing Gurra rufa (doctor fish), is also being created, he said.
The concept is very popular in foreign countries, especially the island nations. Some conservationists and activists have questioned the need for such a project in Kodagu. “The area is known for its lush green forest patches, vegetation, biodiversity and wildlife. There is no need to bring in exotic birds and have such an aviary. Instead, a bird-watching site can be created,” an activist said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / June 13th, 2021
Coffee growers find novel ways to protect their estates from herd raids
Kushalnagar:
Jackfruit is elephants’ favourite fruit and they can smell the ripe ones from miles away. Elephants are dead clever and determined. If the fruit is too high for them to reach they’ll shake the tree with their trunk until the fruit falls to the ground. And if there is an electric fence, they will break it down with a dry tree trunk and enter any plantation.
It is jackfruit season in Kodagu now and wild elephants raiding coffee estates in search of jackfruits is commonplace. They camp for days inside estates putting the lives of estate owners and also labourers in jeopardy as no one can venture into the estates till the herd or even a lone tusker leaves the property.
Wary of elephant raids, farmers and coffee growers have adopted newer ways and means to save their lives and property. They are plucking jackfruits from the trees and dumping them on the elephant path.
In fact, the Forest Department has to intervene in such elephant raids. But with no help forthcoming from the Department officers, who don’t even pay compensation to the loss of coffee plants, estate owners have taken this initiative and it has proved a success too. The elephants entering estates has minimised, if not totally prevented.
Wild elephant menace is rampant in Aiguru, Kandanakolli, Kodlipet, Shirangala Nakoor, Abyathmangala, Chettalli and Seventh Hoskote in the North of the district and Srimangala, Ammathi, Thithimathi, Ponnampet, Kutta and Balele in Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks.
Forests in these areas mostly comprise teak wood which is why elephants are falling short of food and in jackfruit season, they raid the estates. Repeated requests of the villagers to the Forest Department to chase elephants back to the forest have fallen on deaf ears.
Path identified and dumped
Now in this season, jackfruits are found piled up on the roadsides and growers hope the elephants hog these jackfruits instead of entering into their plantations. But the planters cannot cut the jackfruit trees inside their own estates as they do not have tree rights and have to seek permission from the Department — a tedious job, especially during COVID times.
“We identify the path usually taken by elephants roaming around and dump tractor-loads of jackfruits on the way and also near lakes that are frequented by elephants. It is a big loss if a herd of 20 to 25 elephants enter an estate. We are not worried about them eating jackfruits but in the process, they destroy many coffee plants,” says Arun Kumar, an estate owner at Abyathmangala.
On an average, over 1,000 kgs of jackfruits are dumped on the roadsides in the vicinity of every major estate. “We spend extra money and pay the labourers who make time to cut jackfruits amidst the tree-topping work,” he added.
Villagers oppose move
However, the trend has been opposed by some villagers in Abyathmangala-Kushalnagar Range who fear for their safety. They claimed that some of the estate owners’ move is endangering their lives. Anil a, villager said that despite many pleas, the estate owners dump jackfruits by the side of the road and they can’t even go on the road fearing wild tuskers.
However, Ajith Kumar, an estate owner on the Siddapura Road said that he had asked his estate workers to dump the fruits by the side of a lake that is frequented by elephant herds. “By mistake they have dumped on a roadside near the village and next time we will dump fruits on elephant path. Last year, we faced severe losses as many coffee tree branches were broken as herds entered my estate. This is the only visible solution,” he said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 05th, 2021
Geographical Survey of India (GSI) has identified 85 places in Kodagu district, including areas in Madikeri and Virajpet towns, as vulnerable to floods and landslips.
Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal said necessary precautions are in place at those places following the GSI’s report. The officials had also prepared reports on places susceptible to rain emergencies based on previous years’ calamities.
The DC, while responding to Minister for Revenue R. Ashok on monsoon preparedness, gave details of the flood-prone areas and steps taken for the safety of people.
Mr. Ashok directed the DC to take steps to relocate those living in susceptible areas to safer places in view of monsoon. “Just issuing notices to the people to relocate will not serve the purpose. The administration has to persuade them to shift,” said the Minister, at a video conference on Monday with the DCs of some districts, including Kodagu, on Monsoon preparations.
Referring to last year’s landslip that took place at Talacauvery which claimed the lives of people, including the temple priest, the Minister said such instances should not recur. The people living in vulnerable areas must be shifted to relief/rescue centres which can be set up in schools or community halls, he suggested.
Ms. Somal urged the Minister to increase availability of kerosene to Kodagu since its demand goes up during monsoon. The Minister said he would speak to the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – June 09th, 2021
State Government applies brakes on project citing irreparable damage to the ecology
Mysore/Mysuru:
Following an adverse report by the Karnataka Forest Department that pristine forests of Western Ghats (in South Kodagu and Mysuru) will be destroyed if the proposed Thalassery-Mysuru project is implemented, the State Government has stalled the project and has conveyed the same to the Centre, reports said.
The ambitious project, costing more than Rs. 5,000 crore, has been identified by Kerala State Government and it has entrusted it to Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL). The survey work for the projects was entrusted to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The KRDCL has submitted the Pre-Feasibility Report by proposing the alignment via Kutta (Kodagu district in Karnataka) to the Railway Board.
The survey was, however, not permitted in Karnataka due to stiff opposition by the Forest Department officials who reasoned that the project will spell doom for rich biodiversity of South Kodagu as the Railway line will pass through the lush green areas of Nagarahole National Park and Tiger Reserve, Kutta, Kanoor, Balele, Thithimathi before entering Mysuru.
The proposed Railway line passes through nearly 84-km of thick forests covering 49-km in Kerala and 35 km in Karnataka that are rich repositories of biological diversity having large chunks of tropical evergreen forest, the Forest Department said.
Following the opposition, the Kerala Government proposed an alternative route that has Thalassery in Kerala and Kadakola in Karnataka near Mysuru as starting and ending points and the route is via Sultan Batheri from Thalassery to Kadakola that does not cut through forests. Instead, the line will pass through H.D. Kote, Antharasanthe border, and reach Bavali village from where the line proceeds towards Kerala.
This alternative line, however, envisages a 22-kilometre tunnel at Antharasanthe Range of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Kabini area), Bavali and surrounding forests to avoid the rail line cutting through the forests. The proposed alignment passes through the tunnel between corridor of Nagarahole and Bandipur from Pulpally Taluk of Kerala to H.D. Kote Taluk of Karnataka.
Even this route has been shot down by the Forest Department and officials have said that tunnels are bound to affect water recharge underneath the forests thereby causing severe ecological damage to the habitat system.
Sources said that the Forest Department has also stalled the Nilambur-Nanjangud Railway line for which the DMRC has prepared a DPR. Department officials did not accept the project since the lines were passing through Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves.
Though this Nilambur-Nanjangud line had been included in the Pink Book of Railways and Rs. 8 crore set apart for the DPR, the Kerala Government kept the project in abeyance following strong objection from the Karnataka Forest Department, sources said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 08th, 2021
With temperatures rising and pests proliferating, Indian coffee growers are fighting challenges beyond their control.
Unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on coffee yields. (Chevanon Photography, Pexels)
Coffee is the first thing I see, smell and taste in the day. But as caffeine-junkies like you or me ride the wave of premium specialty brews, we need to pay attention to growers across major regions in India, such as Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, who are battling a host of challenges due to a changing climate.
As spring transitions to summer, the pattern of unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on yields and impacting the livelihood of coffee farmers.
Bengaluru based Tej Thammaiah, a co-founder of Maverick & Farmer Coffee Roasters and third-generation coffee farmer, says his team of growers on the 150-acre estate have meticulously documented the cultivation process to pinpoint the impact of increasing temperatures over the last decade. The mild, aromatic Arabica plant with its nuanced flavours, second only to Robusta in production volume in India, is highly susceptible to even the slightest change in climate. As temperatures increase, it hastens fruit ripening, leading to a loss in the overall quality of beans.
To fight this temperature change at estates such as Pollibetta in Coorg, his growers strive to find plots at higher, cooler elevations. But in this new environment, the finicky coffee fruit typically takes longer to mature. Moreover, changing plot locations is not a sustainable solution since coffee fruits in India are grown primarily in “shady” conditions, under a canopy of trees. And deforestation and logging is taking a toll everywhere.
It gets worse: When plants aren’t grown in ideal conditions, it leaves them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Sunalini Menon, president of a coffee grading and training institute called Coffeelab in Bengaluru, mentions that a beetle known as white stem borer has been particularly harmful, spreading through India and Sri Lanka. It prefers plants exposed to sunlight and after burrowing in hard wood and roots as a larva, it hatches and feeds off the plant, destroying the woody tissue, leading to stems wilting and leaves yellowing. The beetle seems to have a particular liking for Arabica.
Not all hope is lost, though. Menon says India was one of the first countries to battle another infamous dweller, a fungus known as leaf rust, at the Mysore Coffee Experimental Station established by the British in 1925 at Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Known as the Central Coffee Research Institute, this research centre now run by the Coffee Board of India is researching and guiding growers on pest control, as well as initiatives such as diversifying shade patterns with local balsa and cedar trees and introducing new varietals of Arabica and Robust suited for tropical growth.
But she does believe it’s important to let go of the hesitancy to uproot plants. Farmers, perhaps for cultural reasons, have typically been hesitant to replant their land though research suggests that shorter plant life-cycles increase quantity, improve bean quality and even give growers some reprieve from emerging pests and diseases.
Ultimately, however, no practice can replace the tedious, time-consuming process of screening crops regularly. A task which falls squarely on growers.
Some shift to growing other crops. Those who stick it out, especially in smaller estates, need more support–in the form of agritourism, research on new techniques, investment in weather stations or, simply, from consumers.
If that doesn’t happen, we may in time find it increasingly difficult to get that morning fix.
For those new to coffee: Thammaiah suggests Selection 795 or Cauvery to taste domestic Arabicas (while we still can).
Nightcap is a column on beverages by Varud Gupta, author of Bhagwaan Ke Pakwaan and Chhotu. @varudgupta
source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.com / Live Mint / Home> Mint Lounge> Food / by Varun Gupta / April 26th, 2021
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