Even as the farmers in the region are struggling hard to sustain agriculture amid drought, a farmer in Masti village in the taluk has showed the way to others through the cost-effective peppermint farming.
The peppermint cultivation known for its cost-effectiveness and low maintenance has proved profitable to farmer Bhagavan Srinivas, who has grown the herb on his three and a half acre land and has found success.
Many farmers in the region retired from agriculture after water table hit the rock-bottom, owing to consecutive droughts. The condition of Srinivas was no different then. But unlike other farmers, who retired from agriculture, Srinivas said goodbye to horticultural crops, which demanded more water and resorted to peppermint farming. “The herb requires less water and is also cost-effective. Since it is used in an array of food, health and beauty products, the demand is also considerable and fetches you good returns,” Srinivas says.
According to the farmer, the herb grows up to 20 to 30 cms and once planted can be harvested for three years. “The traders from Krishnagiri, Hosur in Tamil Nadu and also from Malur and Bengaluru markets come to the field and purchase the produce. A bag of this medicinal herb containing 500 small bunches would cost Rs 1,250,” he added.
Published 28 March 2017, 18:08 IST