Cultivation of ‘Kolake’ Crop Continues Against Adversity
Pics: Inchara Digitals
News by Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)
 
Bantwal / Udupi, Feb 1: The lush green paddy fields in Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts in the past few years made way for plantations due to many reasons.  Later on, these plantations are being bulldozed to develop industries, housing and commercial complexes, roads and infrastructural facilities.  In such a situation, paddy cultivation throughout the year across DK and Udupi districts gives some kind of consolation.
 
The paddy fields in the undivided district, a few years ago, were booming with crops around the year.  The farmers were leading contented lives by planting three seasonal crops.  However, under the changed circumstances, it’s an adventurous attempt for the agriculturists to plant and reap three crops in their paddy fields.  The unforeseen rains this  season slashed the expected income on the paddy crop, which has jeopardized paddy cultivation.

In undivided DK district, paddy crop during the monsoon season is known as ‘Yenel’ in Tulu, the second crop from October – November is known as ‘Suggi’ and the next crop from December – January is known as ‘Kolake’.  The first two crops are dependent on rain water while the third crop is totally dependent on irrigation from open wells and water ponds.  It’s a delight that the third crop Kolake is still prevalent in across the undivided DK district.
 
Realistically, one cannot expect much gain from Kolake paddy crop, unless the entire family of farmer gets engaged in its farming.  The shortage of farm hands is causing barren fields.  Despite this fact, there are a few farmers who continue to cultivate Kolake crop.  It’s a status symbol for large farmland holders including those who rear buffaloes to compete in Kambala and those who were traditionally growing paddy crop year-round since generations to boast of keeping up their age-old tradition.  There are also a few farmers with large farmlands who carry on the farming merely for the sake of prestige in the neighbourhood.
 
There is a notion among the local farming community that the hay of Kolake crop is not good for cattle since it’s exposed to the scorching sun. Hence, decreased demand for hay means dwindling income for the farmer.  There are also a few enterprising farmers who grow ‘Ide Suggi’ in between the three paddy crop in the undivided DK district.