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Grapes turn sour for producers in Krishnagiri

Staff Reporter

Drastic cut in acreage; depletion of groundwater level also a factor

A SPECTACLE: A view of sparkling grapes at a farm in Jagadavi near Krishnagiri. — Photo:N. Bashkaran

Krishnagiri: Depletion of ground water level coupled with lack of technical advice from the Department of Horticulture has drastically reduced the area under grape cultivation in Krishnagiri district.

Major revenue earner

The extant of the horticultural crop, which was introduced as a pioneer next only to mangoes in the district, has now come down to 500 acres from 2,000 acres over the years.

The crop was a major revenue earner to farmers and was cultivated on the entire stretch from Mathur, Pocchampalli, Kannandahalli, Perugopanahalli, Athikanur and Bellakottai.

The main season was from March to May and the harvest was sent to vineyards in Hyderabad and Bangalore.

As a result, wine traders used to pay advance before the harvest.

Local consumption

Now the area under cultivation has reduced drastically due to increase in cultivation and productivity in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Depletion of groundwater level and arrival of seedless and new variety of grapes has wiped out the crop from Krishnagiri district.

Hence the crop is now mainly sold in the market only for local consumption.

"For that matter the Department of Horticulture has not made any concerted efforts to increase the area under cultivation. On the other hand, the farmers across the border were provided with all required inputs and assistance to improve and increase their productivity. Barring mangoes the department has not initiated any steps to increase the area under grape cultivation in Krishnagiri district" says Thimmarayan, a farmer. With lack of any assistance from the department a majority of the farmers have shifted to alternative crops.

Though the district has received abundant rain grape farmers have not been able to fetch a good price . Systematic approach in terms of technical advice, input supply and market intelligence is required for the sustenance of the industry, say farmers.

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