Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Mar 27: There are many who feel that agricultural activity becomes sustainable only when there are tens of acres of land and investment running to lacs of rupees. But many farmers have shown to the world that it is possible to undertake rice cultivation in small pieces of land and eke out a decent living out of the income. Jasmine cultivation has brought smiles in the lives of farmers having small landholdings.

Because of the wrong notion about farming, many farmers have spent huge amount of money on large tracts of land and then face uncertainty. Many a time they are left gaping at huge liability they have piled up. Jasmine is one such cultivation where one can invest small amounts and get good returns. It does not require large stretches of land nor is there any need to invest heavily. Jasmine can be grown in the area around one's own house.

There are different kinds of jasmine flowers. In coastal area, Shankarpura jasmine, Shankarpura Gidda jasmine, Bhatkal Jasmine etc are being grown. Areca and rubber are major drops in coastal Karnataka, and jasmine can very well be cultivated as a sub crop with rubber and areca nut. When the main crop faces a downslide, the sub cro has many a time supported the families. There are people who have raised jasmine in just five cents of land and have run the entire family out of income derived from it.

Jasmine plants yield flowers for 300 to 320 days of the year. Workers are not needed for this cultivation. One can grow 30 to 35 jasmine plants in five cents of land and get two to three Chendu (One chendu equals to four feet of woven jasmine) of jasmine every day. During summer and winter, the yield may be more. When there is demand, each Chendu of jasmine can command a price of Rs 200. This cultivation can yield income that is enough for a four-member family to lead their life honourably.

It is possible to cultivate jasmine organically. Most of the growers pour a basket full of burnt agricultural waste and one and half baskets of old manure from the cattle shed every year. They help the plants to grow well and give a good yield. Parameshwar Rao from Malavanthige Kukkkavu has been growing jasmine by this method and is getting good returns. It is important to maintain some distance between each jasmine plant. It is better if the distance of six to seven feet is maintained between them. Even nine feet can be maintained to help their growth. Weeds need to be removed regularly so that the water is entirely available to the plants. Parameshwar has been feeding water to his plants through the sprinkler system.

There is a need to protect jasmine flowers from dew during winter months. For that, water has to be sprayed on plants during that period as a result of which the dew melts and the flowers are saved. It is possible for the small families to eke out a living by undertaking jasmine cultivation in their small land.