Rise in demand for 'Chandrabale'

Chandrabale, which is bigger in size like cavendish, is dearer compared to other banana varieties. The tasty ‘chandrabale’ can be used to make chips, says farmer Neralakodige Krishnamoorthi of Belandur village. Krishnamoorthi has three acres of farm where he grows arecanut, coffee, banana, cardamom, pepper and other crops. He follows the traditional methods of farming, which was handed down to him from his forefathers. Krishnamoorthi says that growing ‘chandrabale’ is more profitable since it does not require more manpower.

There are cows belonging to only local breeds in his cattleshed. Krishnamoorthi prepares organic manure by mixing cow dung with agricultural waste. He uses such organic manure for pepper grown in his arecanut farm.

Krishnamoorthi’s farm also has a nursery where he grows medicinal herbs. His medicinal plant collection include madalaga, chakraganike (neeruvate), samudraperale, reshmegudde, butter fruit, cocum, bilvapathre, baje, lavancha among others.