Soon to be a ‘fig’ment of imagination?

The singular Ganjam Anjur is on its way to extinction

Mandya Karnataka 17_December_2014 : Historical Ganjam figs (Ganjam Anjur) is on verge of extinction and the growers are at risk of being evicted with the Mandya district administration deciding to commence an anti-encroachment drive in the area. Photo by : MAHADEVA_B

Growers of the unique Ganjam anjur are at risk of being evicted, with the Mandya district administration deciding to commence an anti-encroachment drive in the area.

The erstwhile Mysuru royal family had gifted land to 150 families to grow these figs in Ganjam, near the historical Nimishambha temple in Srirangapatna about eight decades ago. But, with the shortage of water, most of them have now stopped farming. Over the years, many of them constructed buildings on the lands, while others went on to cultivate other crops.

As almost all the original allottees are no more or have migrated, the lands are now in the possession of their kin, and it is these people who are at risk of being evicted, K.S. Nanjundegowda, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leader, said.

The Srirangapatna taluk administration has already evicted many of them, Mr. Nanjundegowda told

The Hindu .

Verge of extinction

As a result, the Ganjam anjur is on the verge of extinction. History tells us that while Tipu Sultan encouraged the people to grow it, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Dewan Mirza Ismail gave a boost to fig cultivation by gifting lands. The royal family had initiated measures to pump water from the Cauvery to irrigate the fig farms. The pipeline is now rusted and motors installed to pump water are defunct, Nanjegowda, a local farmer, said.

The Department of Horticulture and the local administration have failed to maintain the water supply.

Export

According to farmers, the Ganjam anjur was once much in demand because of its unique taste. This instigated growers to form a society to export the produce, besides supplying the dry fruit to Mysuru Palace.

“The State government should stop evicting Ganjam anjur growers. Instead, it should announce a package to give a new lease of life to the dying fig, Mr. Nanjundegowda said.

He also demanded a new pipeline to provide water to the farms.

No documents

M. Mallikarjun, Srirangapatna tahsildar, said: “So far, we have not surveyed the area. But, no one is growing figs at Ganjam now.”

According to the official, there was extensive encroachment of government land in the area, and those who claim to be fig growers do not have documents of ownership of the lands.

H.L. Nagaraju, Assistant Commissioner of Srirangapatna (Revenue), said he would look into the matter.