Ranebennur is known all over the State as a seed production centre, be it sunflower, maize or a range of vegetables. To this list is another addition, tomato. Take this field between Devaragudda and Anaveri in the taluk.
What drew our attention to the field was that the whole area was covered in a huge plastic sheet. Some workers were busy planting tomato saplings at specific points, while at a nearby field, we spotted tomatoes ripe for harvest.
There too, the field was covered by a sheet of plastic, with small openings for the plant to grow. Also, we watched a group of 20-odd workers busy pollinating the flowers artificially.
We speak to Fakkeeragouda Kerodi, a farmer, who owns a small farm. We ask him about his interest in tomato seed production, and whether it is lucrative.
He has been into tomato seed production from the last twelve years, but he has not been able to save much. Last year, he managed to reap 31 kg of tomato seeds, and gained an income of Rs 1.1 lakh, but his expenditure in terms of fertilisers and labour is no less, and he has been able to save only 50 per cent of his revenue, he explains. The change this year though is the use of plastic sheets on tomato fields, across the region.
Farmers point out that this method helps conserve water. Because of the use of plastic , the moisture content is retained within the sheet and the vapour doesn't escape, they contend.
This water again goes back to the soil. Also, they point out that the plastic ensures that there are not too many weeds growing around the tomato plants.
Because plastic is translucent, sunlight can also filter through, farmers here explain.
But it is crucial that once the tomatoes are harvested, plastic is managed efficiently as it could cause harm to the ecosystem. There is need for agricultural experts and seed production agencies to pay attention to the seed production process and the resources involved, to offer guidance to farmers here.
What drew our attention to the field was that the whole area was covered in a huge plastic sheet. Some workers were busy planting tomato saplings at specific points, while at a nearby field, we spotted tomatoes ripe for harvest.
There too, the field was covered by a sheet of plastic, with small openings for the plant to grow. Also, we watched a group of 20-odd workers busy pollinating the flowers artificially.
We speak to Fakkeeragouda Kerodi, a farmer, who owns a small farm. We ask him about his interest in tomato seed production, and whether it is lucrative.
He has been into tomato seed production from the last twelve years, but he has not been able to save much. Last year, he managed to reap 31 kg of tomato seeds, and gained an income of Rs 1.1 lakh, but his expenditure in terms of fertilisers and labour is no less, and he has been able to save only 50 per cent of his revenue, he explains. The change this year though is the use of plastic sheets on tomato fields, across the region.
Farmers point out that this method helps conserve water. Because of the use of plastic , the moisture content is retained within the sheet and the vapour doesn't escape, they contend.
This water again goes back to the soil. Also, they point out that the plastic ensures that there are not too many weeds growing around the tomato plants.
Because plastic is translucent, sunlight can also filter through, farmers here explain.
But it is crucial that once the tomatoes are harvested, plastic is managed efficiently as it could cause harm to the ecosystem. There is need for agricultural experts and seed production agencies to pay attention to the seed production process and the resources involved, to offer guidance to farmers here.