Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS) 

Kundapur, Dec 6: Of late, jasmine cultivation is a very lucrative occupation. Many workshops about giving information to the jasmine growers as well as encouraging them are taking place in recent times. Years ago, jasmine cultivation was a challenge. The agriculturists did not even know about the place where the plant is available or how to cultivate the same. However, Vasudeva Sherigar, agriculturist of Kandavara, in the taluk of Kundapur, dreamt of cultivating jasmine long back. Basically he was a paddy cultivator, but diversified towards flower agriculture. He had the intention of indulging in renowned Shankarapura jasmine cultivation.

Vasudeva Sherigar had started the agriculture of jasmine at a big level 29 years ago. He had brought 300 plants of Shankarapura breed of jasmine and planted them on his land in the area where the sunshine fell properly. He nurtured the plants well and the plants started giving harvest from the very next year. He did not bother about the market because 30 years ago the magnitude in which Vasudeva started jasmine agriculture was in itself a big market for him as the word had spread to nearby villages. So the buyers started coming in search of him to buy the jasmine.

The next chapter of jasmine cultivation started for Vasudeva Sherigar when Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala rural development scheme came into existence. He formed Sri Janardhana Pragatibandhu Self-help Association and started exchanging ideas of jasmine cultivation on his land itself. His first priority was to rejuvenate the jasmine cultivation. He took guidance from officials of the scheme and others and started the cultivation of pure Shankarapura jasmine breed of flowers.

Vasudeva Sherigar used organic farming without the use of chemicals. He followed applying manure of groundnut and cow dung once in two days to the plants. The plants grew beyond his expectation within a year. He got twice the yield as before. In the process, he acquired some technical knowledge also. It resulted in more profit.

At present Vasudeva has 120 jasmine plants. He is getting excellent yield as he is maintaining them well. He makes bunches in home itself and sells from house itself. The jasmine grown by Vasudeva is in great demand. His harvest is booked in advance. Buyers come directly to his house. During season time he gets 30,000 to 50,000 flowers of jasmine.

Vasudeva has reared Jasmine saplings himself. Agriculturists from various places have bought the jasmine saplings from Vasudeva. He says that he has started nursery in order to prevent rural agriculturists from being taken for ride by others. Many tourists come from various places to study the way of jasmine harvesting done by Vasudeva. He has respect and honour of being the senior most jasmine agriculturist of the taluk.

For more information on jasmine cultivation, one can contact Vasudeva on his mobile 9620582636.