'Gandhi centenary plantation' near Bengaluru completes 51 years

Kudur: It’s been 51 years for the sapota farm inaugurated on Gandhi Jayanti in 1970 by the then Chief Minister Virendra Patil near here.

The farm is spread across 180 acres near the Thippasandra Handpost on the National Highway 75 in Magadi taluk.

On the event of Gandhiji’s 100th birth anniversary, 100 such farms were created across the State in 1970. One of the farms is here in Magadi taluk and was aptly named Gandhi centenary plantation.

Initially, 625 saplings of sapota were planted in the plantation. Over the years 1,750 mango trees, 200 guava trees, 100 jackfruit trees, 100 coconut trees and 100 cashew trees were planted.

The plantation now provides saplings to farmers at discounted prices and is visited by interested tree growers who are also provided with guidance and advise on plantation farming.

The fruit grown in this plantation is taken by traders to Mysuru, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai.