Apple Ber, a new variety of horticultural fruit, is making inroads in Ballari district, though in a small way. Perhaps, this is for the first time that the new variety is being cultivated in the district.
Unlike the local and hybrid variety, the specality of the new variety is the size of the fruit which is bigger; it tastes very sweet, is drought resistant, consumes less water and requires less insecticides and is sustainable in hot temperature too, having a life of 20 years, while the yield is high.
Ravindra, who hitherto cultivated fig in Malapur village in Sirguppa taluk, chose to cultivate apple ber after being told by his friends and relatives in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh about its advantage. He cultivated the new variety in about six acres of land in July last, and has started harvesting the crop.
“After my friends explained about the various advantages of the new variety and also that it fetches a good price, I ventured into it. I have planted 400 plants of the new variety in about six acres. I got the plants from Hyderabad at Rs. 35 per plant. My total investment was around ₹ 75,000-₹ 80,000 per acre.
“Within six months, I have started harvesting fruits, on an average 20 kg-25 kg per plant which would continue up to November this year. Being the first year, the yield will be low and it would double from the second year. I am happy with my decision. The grade one fruits are sold in the Hyderabad market at Rs. 35 a kg; the second grade, which are small in size, fetches between ₹ 20 and ₹ 25 per kg,” he told The Hindu .
Chidanand, Joint Director of Horticulture, said that perhaps, for the first time in the State, apple ber was being cultivated in Ballari. Though the coverage is very small, around 20 acres in Sirguppa and Hosapete taluks, it is likely to pick up from the next year going by the successful venture of a few horticulturists. The department would take up extension activities to promote the new variety for the benefit of farmers in the drought-prone areas, he said.
