Chikkamagaluru: The farmers in Malnad regions of the state took a liking towards ginger cultivation over the past few years. Ginger cultivation made inroads in Kodagu to begin with and gradually covered most southern districts of the state which receive adequate rainfall. Farmers did make huge profits but when losses showed up they were always in neck deep trouble.
The profitable crop has taken a total beating this year as a result of Rhizome rot disease also called soft rot. It  is one of the most devastating diseases of ginger where a  light yellowing of leaf tips appear as symptoms which gradually spreads down to the leaf blade and leaf sheath along the margin. Gradually the yellowing spreads to all leaves followed by drooping, withering and drying. When one can pull the root easily, that marks the beginning of end!

Farmers who shifted from paddy and other labor intensive crops in order to become rich in quick time have failed this year. Thousands of hectares of land was covered by ginger cultivation across the district. The excess rain fall and frequent changes in weather conditions caused Rhizome rot leaving farmers involved in ginger cultivation high and dry. Each farmer spends in excess of Rs 60,000 per acre towards cultivation, can make  fourfold profits if the yield is good but at the same time can incur huge losses if the crops fails. The reason for crop failure this year is attributed to excess rainfall and failure of pesticides in controlling the disease. The spurious and low quality pesticides have increased farmers woes according to experts in the field.

Farmers profited from ginger cultivation last year ventured into larger area cultivation this year dreaming huge profits in quick time. With nature playing its own role, the farmers are clueless and are planning to seek governmental assistance to offset crop losses.

The situation is like rubbing salt on the wound where human efforts go in vain and mounting losses increase pre-existing misery.