Teasle gourd a money-spinner

Pithapuram (East Godavari): Many cotton farmers of upland areas of the district who suffered heavy losses due to crop failure last season, have switched over to cultivation of teasle gourd (Kantola) this time for an assured income.

The small bitter gourd variety is being extensively cultivated in Vannepudi, Kodavali, Sarabhavaram, Tatiparthi, Pothuluru, Chintaluru and other villages in the area now. Pothuluru is the major supplier of the teasle gourd seed, which costs Rs 1,200. The vegetable crop needs an investment of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 per acre. Timber from the agency areas is procured to arrange proper support in the fields for the creeper.

According to farmers, the crop lasts for three years if it is planted once. In normal circumstances, teasle gourd farmers can reap a harvest of 6 tonnes of vegetable per acre. Each round of plucking yields about 50 kg of teasle gourd. It is much in demand for its taste, health benefits and long shelf life. The vegetable is exported to Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and other places from East Godavari district.

The market price of teasle gourd ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per 10 kg. A teasle gourd farmer can earn an income of Rs 1 lakh per acre if the yield is good. Speaking to The Hans India, a farmer said: ``Teasle gourd has come to the rescue of cotton ryots who incurred crop loss due to pink bollworm attack. The sudden fall in the market prices of cotton last season also affected the farmers. The small bitter gourd variety has proved to be a money-spinner for many upland farmers, which gives assured returns for three years.’’

By Saride Nageswara Rao