Land

From the deep reds and dark browns of the shola forests, from the fluorescent green of paddy fields and shimmering blue of summer skies to colourful costumes and bright faces, Kodagu is a splash of colours Forests, plantations and paddy fields give on the feeling that nothing can be richer than the soil of Kodagu. But that is not true! As is typical of all tropical rainforests, Kodagu's vegetation is precariously perched on the thin layer of rich humus and topsoil which wash away the movemt the trees and vegetation are removed from it. Torrential rains followed by landslides bare the land, leaving exposed rocks and stones on which no vegetation can be grown again, except perhaps eucalyptus, acacia or silver oak.

People

Kodagu is a land of many communities. Although Kodavas are the main ethnic group, Gowdas, Brahmins, Christians and Jains are other communities who live in Kodagu. Besides these communities, tribes such as Yeravas, Kurubas, Airies and Kudiyas, who are believed to be the original settlers of the area, also live in Kodagu. Muslims from the Malabar coast, the Mapilles, to have been here for several years as traders and businessmen. The Kodavas are ancestor worshippers. Theirs is a martial race and it is not rare to find a Kodava in the highest echelons of our country's defence services even today. The local language- Kodavatak, has influences of Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil.

Geography

Kodagu is one of the smallest districts in Karnataka comprising of 3 taluks - Madikeri, Somwarpet and Virajpet.Madikeri, a hill station, is the headquarters of Kodagu. Kodagu's greatest length from the Hemavathi river in the north to the Brahmagiri range in the south is about 96 kms and its greatest breadth from Sampaje in the west to Kushalnagar in the east is about 60 kms. The district has an area of 4,102 sq.km and 30 percent of the district is forest area. Its population as per 1991 census is 4,85,229.

The district has a mountainous configuration which presents a grand panorama of verdant valleys, ravines, fast flowing streams, lofty peaks and awe inspiring spurs. The major peaks are Tadiandamol, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri Hills. The largest river in Kodagu district is the Cauvery with its principal tributaries Hemavathi, Lakshmanathirtha, Kakkabbe and Harangi or Survanavati, flows in an easterly direction and river Barapole flows towards west. Kodagu is a veritable botanists' paradise with more than 1,300 species.

Climate

The climate of Kodagu is cool, equable and pleasant. The district has very moist rainy monsoon climate.

Winter lasts from January to February

summer from March to May

south-west monsoon from June to September

north-east monsoon from October to December.

Rainfall

June, July and August are the months with heavy rainfall and July is the rainiest month. The rainfall during south-west monsoon is about 80% of the annual rainfall in the Western Ghat region. The average annual rainfall during the last couple of years is 2800 mm. Bhagamandala, Pullingoth and Makutta are three of the 14 heavy rainfall stations in India, the other station in Karnataka being Agumbe in Shimoga district.

Temperature

The mean daily minimum temperature is the least in January at about 14.2o C. During December to February the minimum temperature may go down to 6o C. Temperature begins to increase from mid February and reaches climax in April and May with mean daily maximum temperature at 28.6o C. With onset of south-west monsoon temperature decreases in June and weather becomes pleasant. Best season to visit Kodagu district is between November and May.

Agriculture

Objective

The main objective of this department is to cater to the needs of the farmers along with technical knowhow and also arranging of cash inputs. This department is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Karnataka.

Activities

Activities of the department

Integrated Seed Development Programme:Under this, certified seed paddy worth Rs.91,200 will be distributed to the needy farmers at a subsidy of Rs.200 per quintal.
Supply of sprinkler units at a subsidy of Rs.25,000 per unit for 7 units are available.
Improved Agricultural implements are distributed at a subsidy of Rs.1500 for 26 units.
Propoganda and messages to the farmers through the electronic media will be arranged by utilising Rs.15,000.

Construction of Check Dams

Under this scheme, there is a provision of Rs.2.50 lakhs towards the construction of water harvesting structures for the conservation of rain water in farmers fields.

Agricultural Farms and Exhibitions:

The purpose of this scheme is to transfer the recent trend in Agriculture and the changing technologies for the welfare of farmers, through exhibitions. These exhibitions will be held at various fairs by spending a sum of Rs.15,000.

Plant Protection Schemes

Under this scheme, there is a provision of Rs.2.25 lakhs towards the supply of plant protection chemicals at subsidy of Rs.250 per hectare and also for the supply of 125 numbers of sprayers with a maximum subsidy of Rs.600 per sprayer.

Special Component Plan

Under this scheme, there is a provision of Rs.2 lakhs for the following activities:

distribution of agricultural inputs at 100% subsidy limited to Rs.2,800 per hectare.
distribution of Power Tillers - one unit at a subsidy of 75% limited to Rs.50,000.
distribution of oil engine pumpsets at 75% subsidy limited to Rs.10,000 per set for 8 sets.
supply of machine operated plant protection equipments at 75% subsidy limited to Rs.15,000 per unit for 2 units.
All the above benefits would be extended only to Scheduled Caste farmers.

There is a provision of Rs.5,000 per two soil conservation works.

Tribal Sub Plan

Under this scheme, there is a provision of Rs.1.5 lakhs for the following activities.

distribution of agricultural inputs at a 100% subsidy limited to Rs.2,800 per hectare to the extent of Rs.25,000.
distribution of power tillers at 75% subsidy limited to Rs.50,000 one unit only.
supply of oil engine pumpsets at 75% subsidy limited to Rs.1,000 one unit only.
supply of agricultural improved implements one set at Rs.15,000.
supply of machine operated plant protection equipments one unit for Rs.15,000.
All the above benefits would be extended to tribal farmers of the district.

Since all the above schemes are implemented through the Assistant Directors of Agriculture of the respective talukas, farmers are advised to contact these implementing officers in their respective taluks.

Distribution of Power Tillers

Distribution of Power Tillers at Rs.15,000 subsidy per tiller for which there is a provision of Rs.75,000 for general category of farmers.

Supply of small tractors

Supply of small tractors at Rs.30,000 per tractor for 5 Tractors at an amount of Rs.1,50,000 for general category of farmers.

Incentives for crop production

Incentives for crop production by way of organising crop competition at taluk levels and also district levels. This is to create awareness among the farmers to harvest higher yields in their respective holdings.

J. Organic farming

Under this scheme, farmers and Agriculture University Scientists will interact and discuss about organic farming technology to be followed by the farmers. Further, the farmers will be taken on study tours to places where organic farming is followed. Apart from this, Green Manure seeds will be distributed at 50% subsidy and also wormy culture preparations will be taken up.

Soil Health Centre

The soil health centre at Kudige, has a capacity to analyse 11,000 soil samples per annum. The soil samples from the farmers fields are collected by the field functionaries and sent to the laboratory. After analysis, the results along with the recommendations for the future crop will be communicated to the respective farmers. It is a free service for the betterment of farming community.

Agriculture School:

Three short term courses are organised at the above school at Kudige, wherein, young farmers between the age group of 18 to 35 with 7th standard qualification are trained.

Apart from the above schemes, there are other schemes such as popularising of Bio-fertisizers, distribution of mini kits, preparation of improved compost, plant protection etc., are also in operation in the district.

Department Structure

The department is headed by the Deputy Director of Agriculture at the district level. Each taluk is headed by an Assistant Director of Agriculture and is assisted by an Agricultural Officer, Assistant Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Assistants along with office staff.