Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Mar 29: Koraga Poojary Kodithale, a farmer from Kody Kanyana here has given rise to a newfound alacrity in the field of watermelon cultivation. He has introduced the concept, 'farm to customer' for which the customer response has been very good.
Koraga Poojary has been a successful watermelon cultivator. In this season, he has cultivated an improved species of watermelon, 'platinum'. Because of the handiwork of the middlemen, the farmers are not getting good prices for their products. At the same time, the customers too do not get products at reasonable prices. Koraga Poojary, who thought over this situation, decided to skip the middlemen and directly sell the watermelons to the customers under the concept, 'farm to customer'.
Koraga Poojary has his watermelon farm near Koleraya Daivasthana in Kodithale, and the customers are directly visiting this field and purchasing the watermelons of their choice.
In the past, 'Namadhari' species of watermelon used to be popular. Now, several improved species of watermelon have swarmed the market. Platinum is a good species which has less seeds in the fruit, deep red pulp that is very sweet and tasty. In each of the vines, four to five fruits are grown and each of the fruits weigh between two and five kg. This fruit lasts longer as compared to 'Namadhari' species and is much tastier.
Koraga Poojary lays stress on experimenting in cultivation. He had started to grow watermelon by following the technology of providing cover, in consultation with the department of horticulture. He was provided with mulching sheets and pipes by the department then. Under the mulching system, it is possible to reap high yield. The nutrients do not go waste and there is provision to provide manure in liquid form. This is a successful system of cultivation, Koraga Poojary says.
Koraga Poojary has studied SSLC. He had taken part in the toddy tappers movement. He has also served as the president of Kota Toddy Tappers Service Cooperative Society. He is active in the field of cooperation even now. He is a good cultivator and guide. He grows paddy in both rabi and kharif seasons. He also grows blackgram, lobia, long beans, brinjal, ash gourd, cucumber and other vegetables. He is also active in the fields of fishing, toddy tapping,dairying and agriculture. His achievements need to be recognized.
About watermelon cultivation
This involves a total period of 70 days. They plant flowers in 20 to 25 days. From the 60th day, the fruit is ready to be harvested. Koraga Poojary says that the fields were prepared by ploughing properly, levelling the ground, providing manure from the cattle shed along with a bag of groundnut oil cakes, duly providing mulching ridges. Later, manure in liquid form was provided in recommended doses. The harvest has been good, he admits.