Bengaluru, September 1: Chikmagalur, the picturesque hill station in Karnataka, is gaining attention for two main reasons: its stunning landscapes and the recent praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding its unique coffee and pepper farming during the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program.
Known as the birthplace of coffee, this hilly region is providing farmers with an additional source of income. They are intercropping avocados among their coffee plantations, resulting in extra earnings.
This method of avocado farming alongside coffee has rapidly increased in popularity over the past few months. Following PM Modi’s endorsement of this mixed farming technique, interest in and support for it are expected to rise.
While discussing Chikmagalur, PM Modi specifically mentioned a farmer from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, named Chandrasekharan, who began cultivating avocados on half a hectare of land and saw a significant boost in his income.
In the 137th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ PM Modi noted that some farmers in Chikmagalur have planted avocado trees among their coffee crops, allowing them to earn additional income alongside their coffee and pepper.
He further remarked that while we often hear about avocado toast in urban restaurants, these innovative farmers are discovering new avenues for income through avocados.
Traditionally, coffee, pepper, and spices have dominated farming in Chikmagalur. However, avocado farming is now favored as an intercrop due to its potential for additional income.
In recent years, interest in avocado cultivation has surged among farmers. The number of avocado growers has significantly increased in areas such as Chikmagalur, Kalasa, Balehonnuru, Mudigere, Jayapura, NR Pura, Koppa, and Kadur.
Some farmers have reported that the demand for avocado-based food products, particularly in urban areas, has risen in hotels and restaurants, prompting them to incorporate it into their farming practices regularly.
One farmer mentioned that fluctuations in coffee and pepper prices sometimes affect their earnings. However, avocado farming has provided a stable source of income, leading more farmers to adopt it.
Another farmer stated that cultivating avocados alongside coffee has offered them a new farming model of “one farm, multiple income sources,” enabling them to do so without needing additional land.
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