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Farmers cautioned against clearing forests

By Our Correspondent

SIRSI, MAY 1. "Denuding forests to develop vanilla farms will cause severe damage to the ecosystem. We should preserve natural forests for the future generation," G.K. Vasantkumar, Director, Horticulture Department, has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating a national-level seminar on "Vanilla in India: aspects and prospects" at T.S.S. Hall here recently.

D.T. John, Director, Spice Development Board, Cochin, asked farmers to ponder over why there had been an increase in the prices of vanilla. If more vanilla continued to flood the market, the prices would come down, he said.

S.A. Patil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad, said vanilla had a high demand all over the world because of its flavour.

He felicitated prominent vanilla growers, including A.G. Pai Manjain, G.R. Bhat Vanalli, Shankar Hegde Malenalli, Seetaram Hegde, and Suresh Hegde Koppa, on the occasion.

Shantaram Hegde Shigehalli said that irrespective of whatever crops farmers grew, the problems of rate variation and marketing bothered them. If these were overcome, most growers would be happy.

G.M. Hegde Bairumbe of Bairumbe Associates and M.V. Hegde Hulgol, president of Spice Growers' Association, were present.

V.S. Korikantimath, President of Indian Spice Board, welcomed the gathering.

S.K. Patil, director, Sirsi Forestry College, proposed a vote of thanks.

The seminar was conducted under the auspices of the Indian Society of Spices; Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka; Sirsi Forestry College; Spices Board, Cochin; and Totgars Sales Society, Sirsi.

More than 250 delegates participated in the seminar.

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