Inclement weather affects Mattu Gulla yield in district

MANGALURU: Prolonged inclement weather in Udupi district after the monsoon has hit the yield of Mattu Gulla, a special variety of brinjal grown by a handful of farmers on about 67 hectares at Mattu and Kaipunjal villages in Udupi. According to growers, the yield has reduced to just 30% compared to the previous years.
Laxman Mattu, a grower for the past 40 years, and manager of Mattu Gulla Growers Society, said that it was after six years they were witnessing such a decline in yield and first after formation of the society.As a result, the rates have increased two-fold. “The first grade or A-one quality of Mattu Gulla is sold for Rs 70 by the society, whereas last year it sold at Rs 40. A-1 grade Mattu Gulla are sold for Rs 120 in the market. The second grade costs Rs 40, which cost Rs 25, last year, and in the market the same sold for Rs 70,” he said.
Laxman added that the society was formed four years ago, and it was giving growers a decent return for their crop. There are about 110 growers and the society has 210 members. Mattu Gulla is grown between October and June every year.
Laxman said the total previous crop harvested touched more than 80 tonnes, which will not happen this year. “Apart from its demand in undivided Dakshina Kannada, Mattu Gulla is sold in others districts in Karnataka and also in Mumbai. However, we won’t be able to supply them due to poor crop,” he said. Another grower, Day od resulted in a poor yield, as many of the plants died.
Paryaya incomplete sans Mattu Gulla delicacies
The Udupi Paryaya celebrations are incomplete without the delicacies prepared out of Mattu Gulla, which has a geographical indication (GI) tag. It is a tradition for growers that they offer the first yield of Mattu Gulla for mass feeding on the day of Paryaya Mahothsav of Sri Krishna Mutt.
Legend has it that about 400 years ago, Sri Vadiraja of Sri Sode Mutt blessed the farmers in the region by offering the seeds of this brinjal variety. Farmers offer ‘hore kanike’ of the crop in a ceremonial procession on Madhva Navami, and this tradition has been going on for over 500 years.