Tamarind growers adopt water project, script sweet success

Farmers in Tumkur taluk, like anywhere, had believed in traditional facts that tamarind yields once in two years and it does not demand much water. But a programme on best water conservation methods under a project called ‘Jala Jeevani’ changed their mindset and today they are reaping success.

Many farmers in Nandihalli, Madhugiri, Gidadagalahalli, Aavinamadu, Gollarahatti and Rangapura of Tumkur taluk have adopted the methods suggested by the proponents of the project which aims to enhance the water source. This has helped them reap good yield every year. The farmers here claim that they have found at least 30 per cent increase in the yield.

Badeppa of Nandihalli in the district, once owned 50 tamarind trees. But the trees would not yield every year. While a few trees reaped once in two years, the others were infected with disease. Upset over it, Badeppa had cut down 30 trees and was planning the same for the 20 other trees. But he too has adopted the ‘Jala Jeevani’ project and is earning good profits. Young farmers like Devaraju, Kalyan Kumar and Thimmanna too have observed the change in the yield in their farm after they implemented measures under the project.

Thimmanna owns 50 trees and they would yield every alternative year. He too had thought that this is a normal feature in a tamarind tree. But for the past three years, he gets the yield every year. “These trees were nurtured by my grandfather. Then too the trees would yield every alternative year.

It would give 6-7 quintals of yield earlier. But now it has raised to 10 quintals. Besides, the tamarind has a good market and the average price per quintal in the market is Rs 10,000,” said Thimmanna.

The improved yield has brought cheers among the growers here, who have adopted the ‘Jala Jeevani’.