FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Spicing to meet the challenge, with the help of experts’ advice
M.J. PRABU
|
Both the farmers earn a net income of Rs. 30 lakh a year
|
— Photo: By special arrangement
Succesful model: Cardamom planters Faizal (left) and Shamveel at their farm.
One of the aims of agricultural research should be to develop new and high yielding crop varieties which are resistant to pest attacks and infestations.
“Especially for spice cultivation, the role of technology becomes indispensable. Unlike other crops, spices require big investments and also generate good returns,” says Dr. V.A. Parthasarathy, Director, Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala.
“Reports of experienced spice growers losing their yield and income, just because they are not receptive to latest technologies should serve as a guide for others.
Guide essential
“On the other hand, farmers who meticulously follow the advice of field experts and try out new technologies in their field succeed. Even novice farmers can earn more from their farm if they cultivate high yielding varieties and follow an expert’s guidelines,” he says.
For example, model cardamom planters in Kodagu, Karnataka Mr. Faizal Siddique and Mr. Shamveel Nizam are experts today, but they did not know the intricacies involved in cardamom cultivation in the beginning.
Crop management
“We did not know much about cardamom cultivation while studying. Our father managed the plantation work and after him, we found it difficult to manage the crops especially during any infestation or pest attack,” says Mr. Faizal.
Out of 200 acres, coffee is planted in 196 acres with back pepper as an intercrop and cardamom is grown in the remaining four acres.
“Initially we got only 50 kg (Rs. 40,000 net income) of cardamom from an acre in a year. We attributed the low yield to reasons such as poor soil fertility and the variety’s low yielding trait” says, Mr. Shamveel.
Increasing yield
Desperate to increase the yield, they approached the Cardamom Research Centre at Appangala in Kodagu district for advice.
“The scientists at the centre asked us to enrol with the Boikeri self-help group at Boikeri for better interaction with other farmers. We did so and the meetings helped us learn about scientific crop management under various microclimatic conditions. Besides, the scientists regularly visited our fields and provided spot consultations.
Identifying diseases
“They taught us to identify disease symptoms and plants at various stages of infestation in the field. Now we can identify diseased plants even from a distance,” says, Mr. Shamveel with a smile.
“When we visited their farm, we noticedviral infestation prevalent on all the plants. We advised the farmers to remove the diseased plants and replant high yielding varieties and follow plant protection methods and recommended pesticides,” explains Dr. M.N. Venugopal, Head, Cardamom Research Centre.
While spraying the poisonous insecticides, farmers took carenot to exterminate thehoneybee pollinators. “When we followed the scientific management practices, the yield and income drastically increased, to 400 kg per acre from a meagre 50 kg per acre (before the adoption of the methods)” says Mr. Faizal.
Expenditure
The farmers at present spend Rs. 2 lakh towards adoption of modern technologies in their farm and earn a net income of Rs. 30 lakh in a year.
For a visit to their farm, readers can contact Mr. Faizal Siddique and Mr. Shamveel Nizam, Sandalkda estate, Boikeri Village, Ibbinavalavadi, Madikeri Taluk, Kodagu district-571 201, Phone: 08272-239383 and Dr. M.N. Venugopal, Head , Indian Institute of Spices Research, Cardamom Research Centre, Appangala, Madikeri-571 201, Phone: 08272-245451, 245514.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sci Tech
