No Mattu gulla for Paryaya!

Rains damage crops in Mattu

Grown in abundance in the small inlet ‘Mattu’ adjoining the river ‘Papanashini’ with Arabian Sea, ‘Gulla’ has the place name as its preface for the introduction. However, the rains which has been lashing for the last two weeks has completely damaged the Mattugulla crops. Paryaya celebrations is incomplete without the delicacies prepared out of this Gulla. ‘Hore Kanike’ of the Mattu Gulla will be offered to the Lord in a ceremonial procession on ‘Madhva Navami.’ However, this year, there will be no Mattugulla to the Paryaya.

Once the paddy is harvested, gulla cultivation starts, ie, in the months of November and December and the harvesting takes place in January. However, rains have spoiled the crop this year.

Loss

Mattugulla is grown in 32 hectare land in Mattu. Nearly 22 tonne mattugulla is harvested per hectare land. The annual production of Mattugulla is 710 tonne in this hamlet alone. Owing to the change in weather, the Mattugulla has been affected from 2005. As a result, the production of Gulla has come down drastically over the years.

Last year, farmers had reaped only one harvest. However, this year, as the region is receiving rainfall even in the month of November, the crop is being damaged completely.