Successful cultivation of wild vegetable curtula in one acre area in Lanjat!

Lanja: Bhagwan Dhekane, a farmer from Gawane in Lanja taluk, has successfully cultivated Kartoole (Katle) in about one acre cashew orchard for the first time in Konkan and has set a new example for the farmers here.

There is a huge demand for this vegetable fetching around Rs 200 to 300 per kg in the Lanja market. Kartole crop which is found in Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Ranavanat, forest region or hill valleys is now trying to establish itself in Ratnagiri district. Bhagwan Dhekane, a farmer from Gawane in Lanja taluka, has done experimental farming.

Bhagwan Dhekane, who is a builder, has done various farming experiments in Gavane village. The cashew crop is large. A new experiment of cultivating curtula as an intercrop was done in this garden with cashew garden. The farmers have got the experience of this crop which fetches a good rate in a short period of time with low maintenance cost. Dhekane has brought 500 Arka Bharat tuber plants from Aurangabad and planted them in the month of June. He says that the pest and disease incidence of the crop is also very low. However, fruit fly problem arose within three years. But they say that they brought it under control by setting traps. The roots say that they do not need water as the tubers go dormant after harvesting. Bhagwan Dhekane said that the cultivation of Kartoli per acre through the change in cropping system has increased the enthusiasm in agriculture. This most preferred vegetable is in great demand as a medicinal herb and has various properties. I have planted this after getting information from YouTube. Last year, he collected seed tubers from the forest at Hatkhamba and planted them in two bunches for seed production. He got a good crop. In this season, we brought Araka Bharat tuber seedlings from Aurangabad in the month of June and planted them. The production of this kartoli planted at a distance of four by one and a half meters started in one and a half months. Three breaches occurred between June and August. Sold at Lanza. It is priced from Rs 200 to Rs 250.

Bhagwan informs about Dhekan Kartu that,

• Classical name Momardica dioica. It is also called ‘wild karela fruit’.
• The vines are found in Konkan, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Western Ghats. Cultivated to some extent in Konkan, South Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Rain vines grow on bushes in the forest. Vines have tubers in the ground.
• Plants of the pumpkin family. Flowers are produced from June to August followed by fruits.
• Effective in headache, kidney stones, poisoning, elephantiasis, intestinal complaints, fever, constipation, asthma, bronchitis, hiccups, piles..
• The vegetable of kartoli fruit is similar to karalya. This vegetable can be seen in the market at the end of monsoon. The vegetable is useful in the monsoon disorders like cold, cough, fever.
• As commercial production is to be taken, male and female flowers were pollinated with the help of laborers. As a result expected fruits started to be obtained. 30 to 40 kg daily production of this Arka Bharata variety of potato with natural parrot green color. For more information contact: Bhagwan DhekNe -9273861999