The Hindu : Karnataka News : Better profits, less investment

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Better profits, less investment

Amla cultivation has been gaining popularity in the past five years in Chitradurga district

Profitable venture: Somashekharappa at his Amla farm.

Among the dry-land horticultural crops, Amla (gooseberry) is considered a high-yielding option that requires minimum expenditure.

It has proved to be a profitable crop for farmers who do not have good irrigation facilities, and can be grown even in dry, hilly areas.

According to the Horticulture Department, Amla cultivation has been gaining popularity in the past five years in Chitradurga district.

It is grown on over 100 hectares of land in the district mainly by those farmers who have lost other crops owing to lack of irrigation facilities and erratic rainfall.

Amla, which has medicinal values, is popularly used for preparing chyawanprash and juice.

It is also used for making pickles and “murabba” (a type of jam).

Amla is considered good for people with diabetes.

“I have some 20 acres of dry land, but could never make substantial profit compared to the investment I made. On the suggestion of a friend, I took up Amla cultivation some three years ago. It gives me a profit with a minimum investment,” said S. Somashekharappa of Bharamsagar village in Challakere taluk.

Mr. Somashekharappa, who began with 150 plants, now has over 2,000 plants.

Amla begins to yield after three years, and the plants can last for over 70 years, if maintained properly.

The plant needs water only for the first three years. Later, even with minimum rainfall, the crop bears fruit.

Around 160 saplings can be planted on an acre of land with an investment of Rs. 8,000.

It will give a minimum return of Rs. 80,000 a year. A normal plant produces 100 kg of gooseberries.

The cost per kg is Rs. 18 to Rs. 20.

Mr. Somashekharappa said that he has been selling his produce to companies such as HOPCOMS and Reliance in Bangalore.

To promote the crop, the Horticulture Department provides a subsidy of Rs. 4,500 an acre for up to four acres under the National Horticulture Mission.

Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department Kadiregowda said: “We are also giving 75 per cent subsidy for drip irrigation.”

He said the department has undertaken an expansion programme to bring more land under Amla cultivation.

FIROZ ROZINDAR IN CHITRADURGA

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