JOIN USHardwork coupled with interest and knowledge on crops can help a farmer to survive even in drought affected Kadur taluk. This has been proved by Lokesh of Bantaganahalli in Kadur taluk. By growing pudina (mint leaves), he has become model for others and has been fetching income for his livelihood.
When the monsoon failed, he started growing mint leaves in his arecanut plantation with the help of borewell water and started earning good income.
Before planting the mint leaves, the land should be levelled and the soil should be mixed with the manure. The mint leaves can be grown between the arecanut trees. The mint leaves plants should be grown with a distance of 20 to 22 cm. One can plant during any season. The plant will start sprouting within 15 days. The plants should be watered at least four times in a week.
“By applying DAP 20:20, mint leaves grow faster. To check diseases affecting the mint leaves, one need to spray metacid. With less expenditure, pudina can be grown. The fully grown mint leaves can be harvested within two months,” he says. “One will have to spend a sum of Rs 9,000 for growing mint leaves in an acre land. However, after harvest, it will fetch Rs 75,000 per acre. There is great demand for mint leaves in Shimoga and Bhadravathi. One thousand bunches (each bunch will have 10 to 12 plants) is sold for Rs 600,” says Lokesh.
Mint leaves remind us of chutney. It is rich in protein, fiber, and iron.