Wither beans, hopes of peasants

 Despite French beans fetching a handsome Rs 40 per kg in the market, the farmers are not happy as the yield has hit an all time low.

All was well till the plants started flowering in Kodishettihalli in the taluk. The farmers had nurtured the crop well by providing water and nutrition as per needs — even though irrigation pump sets did not function properly due to both scheduled and unscheduled power cuts.

But all of a sudden, farmers noticed that the leaves were turning yellowish and the plants looked dull. The disease, which was seen in one or two plants, later spread to the entire crop area. As most of the farmers in the village grow beans as a summer crop, because it gets good returns, the disease spread to almost all the crops in the village.

Due to scarcity of the vegetable, traders are paying up to Rs 40 to farmers per kg for beans. But, farmers cannot cash in on the situation as their crop is meagre and also of low quality.

Beans is a major summer crop in the district — in Mandya, Nagamangala and Malavalli taluks. The problem has been reported from all parts. Farmers fear the disease may spread to other vegetable crops also.

Thammanna of Kodishettihalli said last year he used to send at least 30 kg beans to the market, but this year it has reduced to almost 50 per cent. “Hoping that beans yields good returns, I opted for the vegetable.

The expenses are high for seeds, fertilisers, labour, etc. Now, the disease is not coming under control even after spraying pesticides. The rates are higher. But it is of no use as we have little to sell,” he said.

Senior assistant director for horticulture Vijendra Kumar said the disease is a result of lack of nutrition in the soil.

“It may affect even if a single crop is repeatedly grown on the same land. The disease can be brought under control by spraying Glytax. However, the reason can be ascertained only after a field visit,” he said.

“We have tried to create awareness among the farmers about changing crop pattern for better yields. However, farmers do not listen,” he added.