Shidlaghatta taluk, which was famous for mulberry plantations is now in news for growing vegetables. The farmers in the taluk are rejoicing due to the spiralling of vegetable prices.

Excluding the northern parts of the taluk, irrigation facilities is sufficient in other parts of the  region.
Though sericulture is predominant in this region, the farmers in the taluk have been experimenting with horticulture  every now and then.

As a result carrot, cabbage, beetroot and other vegetables are grown commonly in the region now. Moreover, now it is a good time for the farmers of the district.

Drip irrigation
Though it is a rejoicing time for the farmers, they are troubled by the depleting ground water sources. However, the farmers of the taluk by employing drip irrigation have somehow been able to protect their crops.

In the taluk 60 per cent of the agricultural lands come under mulberry cultivation and vegetables are grown in other 20 per cent of the lands and flowers, grains are grown in the remaining 20 per cent of the lands.

However, climatic changes since the past three months has been a cause of worry to the farmers. As getting fair prices to  silk cocoons is difficult these days, some of the farmers have opted for alternative cultivation in the region and are engaged in growing vegetables and have benefited from the same.

Moreover, the strike undertaken by the traders protesting the amendment to the APMC Act  has not had an impact on the farmers of the region.

Also, the farmers of this region have always been transporting vegetables to the markets in Chennai and nearby regions as it offers more price to the producers than those offered in the markets of Bangalore.