Good News for Mattu Gulla lovers: Bumper crop to reach markets this Navratri

Team Udayavani, Oct 2, 2021, 9:31 AM IST

Katapadi: By the time Navratri starts, Mattu Gulla is expected to be aplenty in the markets. The GI accredited brinjal variety from the coastal region has started entering the market in smaller quantities already.

Last year, farmers couldn’t meet the Navratri festive demand due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging.

President of Mattu Gulla growers’ association informed that now young farmers have taken to growing Mattu Gulla. Arrangements were made for the purchase of mulching sheets, seed trays, and cocopeat at the association premises. Around 210 member-farmers are raising the crop in about 250 acres. By Navaratri, more than 500 kgs produce would reach the markets every day, he said.

The brinjal has very considerable demand in the markets around Katapadi, Udupi, and Mangaluru.

Relief remains a mirage:

The untimely rains before harvest last year had destroyed the crops and caused huge losses to the growers.

MLAs, the deputy commissioner, and various departmental officials had visited the farms and reviewed the destruction. But the special package relief for Mattu Gulla announced has still not reached them yet, say the farmers.

Including the manure, mulching sheets, ready to harvest the crop and even the plant themselves – we had lost everything, the farmers recalled.

GI recognition:

Farmers of the region cultivate grow the Gulla in the paddy fields every yea. Many cut short the Karti paddy crop grown in June and July and plant the seedlings. In three months, the sapling grows strong and yields crops. After getting the recognition as a Geographical Indicator (GI) patent, the vegetable with origin sticker is expected to reach Mumbai, Bengaluru as well as international markets.

Easy credit facility:

CEO of Kaipunjalu Fishermen Primary Multipurpose Co-operative Society Jagadish V Thingalaya said easy credit facility is being provided to economically strengthen and encourage growers. Financial facilities are aimed at motivating and encouraging young farmers to grow the crop, he said.