The Hindu : Karnataka News : Farmers take to cocoa

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Friday, Dec 21, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Farmers take to cocoa

Introduction of inter-cropping system becoming popular among arecanut growers

Picking up: Cocoa saplings planted in an arecanut farm in Chitradurga.

The introduction of inter-cropping system with cocoa in arecanut farming by the horticulture department is slowly becoming popular among arecanut growers of the district.

Though this technique is common in Malnad areas, it was not introduced in Chitradurga.

The objective of the technique is to make use to space left between arecanut plants, which is normally between 7.5 feet to nine feet. According to farming experts, the cocoa plantation not only gives extra revenue to the farmers, but also helps in the increase of arecanut production by 10 to 15 per cent.

“Since long, arecanut farmers of the district were not aware of the usage of space left between the arecanut plants, but now they are gradually coming forward to adopt this technique,” said agriculture expert G.S. Ujjanappa.

Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department Kadiregowda said the department, under the National Horticulture Mission, distributed cocoa saplings free in 2005-06. The inter-cropping method had been successfully adopted in Bhimasamudra, Bharamasagar and Chitradurga taluk, where the farmers are expecting the first crop of cocoa within two years. At present, the inter-cropping is done in over 450 acres of land, while the total arecanut farming in the district is over 18,000 acres of land, he said.

Mr. Kadiregowda said that since cocoa is used in production of chocolates, ice creams and beverages, farmers could have alternate revenue by planning cocoa. The CAMPCO has opened its branch in Bhimasamudra which is ready to purchase cocoa. The cost of wet cocoa seeds is around Rs. 20 a kg while dry coco costs around Rs. 80 a kg.

The yielding period begins from the third year of plantation. In the first year, the farmers could earn about Rs. 6,000 an acre. Each acre could produce up to 3 quintals in the first year, which gradually increases in the consecutive years. “The initial investment will be Rs. 2,000 an acre, while annul maintenance would be around Rs. 1,000,” he said.

Firoz Rozindar in Chitradurga

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