Date:25/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/25/stories/2006032511370500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Organic farming helps bring pesticide-free grapes to Bangalore

P. Manoj

It is the produce of 60 farmers who used organic methods of cultivation

Pesticide-free grapes are available at Lalbagh
They are sold in 2 kg boxes at Rs. 65 a box
800 kg of the produce has been sold

The grape season is coming to an end

Bangalore: The next time you buy grapes, make sure it is the pesticide-free Thomson seedless variety grown in Athani taluk in Belgaum district.

"Last week, the Jaivik Krishik Society, a State-level association of farmers who use organic methods of cultivation, started marketing pesticide-free grapes, and about 800 kg of the fruit has been sold in Bangalore," K. Ramakrishnappa, Joint Director of Horticulture (Biotechnology), told The Hindu .

It is said this is the first time that organically grown grapes are being sold in the city.

Groundwater levels

The produce is the labour of 60 farmers in Athani who have developed their own method of growing grapes using organic practices to tackle depletion of groundwater levels, rising cost of cultivation and health hazards for growers as well as consumers arising from rampant use of pesticides.

Dr. Ramakrishnappa explained that in Athani the groundwater level has declined drastically in the past five years.

Cost of cultivation

He said the cost of cultivation has increased from about Rs. 35,000 a hectare to about Rs. 1.25 lakh a hectare, mainly because of large-scale use of pesticides and fertilizers. "Besides, growers are exposed to health problems because of the constant spraying of crop with pesticides," he added.

Production

Sixty of the 250 farmer-members of the Grape Growers' Association Cooperative Society in Athani have used the organic method of cultivation and produced 200 tonnes of pesticide-free grapes this season.

The pesticide-free grapes are available at the Nurserymen Cooperative Society in the Lalbagh Botanical Garden in 2 kg boxes at Rs. 65 a box.

Grapes are sold in the market at prices between Rs. 20 and Rs. 25 a kg.

Pesticide residues

According to Dr. Ramakrishnappa, grapes sold in the market contain high levels of residues of dimethoate, lindane, chloropiriphos and nalathion. He said the residues are much above the stipulated limits. Organically grown grapes are free from pesticides.

"The National Horticulture Mission will provide subsidy to grape growers at the rate of Rs. 10,000 a hectare once their land is totally converted for organic farming," he said.

He said the grape season is set to end in a fortnight, and unsold grapes will be converted into raisins.