Despite drought and diseases, farmers around Bengaluru achieve good pomegranate yield

Gonuru Srinivas, popularly known as Daalimbe Srinivas in his village, has been successfully growing pomegranate in his more than 15 acres farm located in Gonuru, a village in Devanahalli Taluk in Bengaluru Rural, for more than a decade.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Srinivas said, “This year, the yield is expected to be more than 70 tonnes. In the past few years, I have even got a yield of more than 150 tonnes. I have never shifted to growing or cultivating other fruits or vegetables in the past 14 years.”

Mr. Srinivas highlighted that though pomegranate is known to be a drought-resistant crop, it needs good supply of water for plants to be healthy, free from diseases and seeds from drying away.

Along with him there are two other farmers, G.C. Mune Gowda and M.R. Devaraj, from Thondebhavi in Gauribidanur taluk of Chickballapura district, who were popular for cultivating pomegranate.

Recognition

Recently, the Institute of Agricultural Technologists (IAT) and Department of Horticulture recognised them not only for their success in cultivation of pomegranates but for taking risk for many years despite the disease of ‘bacterial blight’ (locally called Macche Roga), in pomegranate plants.

A.B. Patil, president, IAT, said, “Despite drought conditions across the State and risk of diseases like ‘bacterial blight’, these farmers have taken risks every year to produce pomegranates. Therefore, apart from the scientific knowledge that every pomegranate growers is required to follow, we have published some simple steps that these farmers have followed in our book Karnataka Daalimbe Sampada 2026.”

Mr. Patil said, “Earlier, farmers in Koppal, Ballari, Vijayapura, Raichur and Belagavi were famous for growing pomegranate. Today, the scenario has changed due to the increasing ‘bacterial blight’ disease in north Karnataka. If farmers follow certain practices then this disease can be prevented. The quality, colour and size of Bhagwa variety of pomegranate is extremely good, and it is suitable for export as well.”

How to do it?

Meanwhile, Mr. Srinivas explained, “Farmers have to first get pH level in soil tested and clean water must be available. The watering of plants should happen through drip irrigation system and the expected pH level in soil should not cross 6.5 to 7 range. If these two factors are in place, farmers have to look out for healthy seedlings free of diseases whether they buy from nurseries or private companies that are mostly in Maharashtra, Gujarat and now even some parts of Karnataka.”

He added, “Seedlings should be free from visible pests and diseases. The root and nodule should be free from worms and the seedlings grown using clean and hygienic nursery practices. Ensure that the seedlings are properly rooted and hardened before planting them in the field. If the roots are infected, they can produce soil-borne pathogens and pests affecting the entire plantation. Therefore, farmers should obtain plants from reliable nurseries and avoid planting material of uncertain health status.”

Concurring with this, Mr. Devaraj said, “Farmers must ensure one or two sprays of insecticides and pesticides in a week. This will ensure pests or insects are killed and prevented from attacking fruits and plants.”

If these simple steps are followed, then farmers can easily get good yield of fruits.

Mr. Patil said, “Each fruit will weigh between 250 to 500 gms. Based on their weight, they are identified as super king size, king size, queen size, and prince size, and the cost will vary accordingly.”

Super king size: 750 gms

King size: 500 to 600 gms

Queen size: 400 to 500 gms

Prince size: 300 to 400 gms