<p>Poor rainfall and the depletion of the groundwater table have forced farmers to plant short-term crops in the taluk.</p>.<p><br />Coriander has become one such crop as it needs less water and little time to grow.<br />The crop is said to be helping farmers recieve financially from losses incurred because of the drought.</p>.<p><br />Demand from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for coriander has also strengthened the crop’s importance in the region and has encouraged farmers to sow the crop. <br />But even among coriander, taluk officials revealed that many farmers have been growing the hybrid variety instead of the local (‘naati’) version. Hybrid coriander can be grown in just a month’s time. </p>.<p><br />Returns on investment</p>.<p><br />An initial investment of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per acre is required to grow the crop, but this assures farmers of at least 400-500 coriander bunches per crop.<br />“Even if one bunch is sold for Rs two, farmers will get Rs 10,000 per crop,” a farmer explained. </p>.<p><br />Some traders who purchase the crop directly from the field also pay farmers in advance. <br />“If fluctuation in price is not drastic at the time of sale, the traders will pay the sum promised to farmers,” said Amarappa, a farmer at Majaravenkatapura. <br /></p>
<p>Poor rainfall and the depletion of the groundwater table have forced farmers to plant short-term crops in the taluk.</p>.<p><br />Coriander has become one such crop as it needs less water and little time to grow.<br />The crop is said to be helping farmers recieve financially from losses incurred because of the drought.</p>.<p><br />Demand from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for coriander has also strengthened the crop’s importance in the region and has encouraged farmers to sow the crop. <br />But even among coriander, taluk officials revealed that many farmers have been growing the hybrid variety instead of the local (‘naati’) version. Hybrid coriander can be grown in just a month’s time. </p>.<p><br />Returns on investment</p>.<p><br />An initial investment of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per acre is required to grow the crop, but this assures farmers of at least 400-500 coriander bunches per crop.<br />“Even if one bunch is sold for Rs two, farmers will get Rs 10,000 per crop,” a farmer explained. </p>.<p><br />Some traders who purchase the crop directly from the field also pay farmers in advance. <br />“If fluctuation in price is not drastic at the time of sale, the traders will pay the sum promised to farmers,” said Amarappa, a farmer at Majaravenkatapura. <br /></p>
