Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Sep 18: A farmer from Balanja, a tiny village in Nalkur village in the taluk, has shown to the world that fruits of foreign origin can be profitably grown here. Anil Balanja, a young farmer, gets credit for achieving this unique feat.

Anil, who undertook farming after completing PU education, has shown interest in growing foreign fruits and has fairly succeeded in his aim.

Initially Anil started to grow foreign fruits as a hobby. Later, he began to grow saplings of the plants, sell them to other farmers and helped other farmers too to reap the benefit of this vocation. The nursery he initially started on a small scale has now become quite big. Saplings from here are supplied to different states including Kerala. His wife and parents have been supporting his efforts. Balanja has shown that fruits which are native to Burma, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Jamaica, Hawaii etc can be grown here.

Cedar Bay Cherry from Australia, Achacha of Bolivia, Nam Nam fruit of Sri Lanka, tree grapes of Burma, Kaimito of Jamaica, Malaysian watermelon, Papino of Russia, Mexican sapota and scores of other foreign fruits have been grown by him. He also has been developing and supplying fruit plants and saplings to others.