An innovative project titled ‘Haladiyinda Hasiru, Hasirininda Phasalu’ (From yellow to green, from green to yield) aimed at revitalizing the famed Coorg (Kodagu) oranges was recently launched by the Central Horticultural Experimental Station at Chettalli.
It is reported that in the first phase of the project, 100 farmers, who are currently cultivating oranges, have been identified to receive agricultural equipment and training. The second phase aims to identify another 100 new farmers to distribute the Kodagu orange saplings and agricultural equipment to them and encourage cultivation through training.
As a part of this initiative, a training workshop was organised recently for 100 farmers from Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan districts who are cultivating the Coorg oranges. After the training, agricultural equipment necessary for orange cultivation was distributed to them.
In the 1950s and 60s, oranges were cultivated over an area of 50,000 to 60,000 acres of land. But now, it has come down to a mere 4,000 to 5,000 acres.
Director of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Prof Tushar Kanti Behera, and joint director of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikasa Yojane SM Deepaja participated in the programme.
