Bengaluru: Bengalureans can now experience the joy of plucking fresh pomegranates straight from the orchard. Facilitating the direct sale of the fruit to consumers without the intervention of middlemen, pomegranate cultivators have launched a first-of-its-kind Pomegranate Farm Tourism at NCR Farm in Nagadasanahalli, near Yelahanka. The novel initiative, kickstarted Saturday, beckons citizens with the slogan ‘Pick your own fruit, walk through the farm, and take home fresh produce,’ blending leisure with healthy living.The experimental initiative, open to visitors from 6.30am to 6.30pm, evoked an overwhelming response, with many flocking to the farm in large numbers on opening day, enjoying the rare chance to connect directly with agriculture and farmers. Visitors were able to harvest fresh and ripened fruits from plants at Rs 200 per kg — almost half the market price — while relishing the farm ambience.“It feels refreshing to step out in the city and be part of a farmer’s life, even if just for a day. The joy of hand-picking fruit for my family is something no supermarket can offer,” said Jagadish, 70, who purchased 50kg of pomegranates. For many urban residents, the event doubled up as an educational outing, helping their children understand where their food comes from, besides highlighting the need for natural farming methods.The initiative was inaugurated by Kodagu University vice-chancellor Ashok Sangappa Alur, who hailed it as a model for strengthening farmer-consumer ties. Acknowledging the win-win situation for both farmers and consumers, Prof Ashok said, “Farmers like Chandra sell pomegranates for Rs 200 per kg here, while the same fruit reaches markets and gets sold for Rs 400! This system ensures fair prices for farmers and savings for consumers.“Farm owner Chandra NR, who manages 27 acres of pomegranate orchards using residue-free practices, expects around 30kg of fruits per tree this season. “The fruits range from 200-600 grams and meet export-quality standards,” he pointed out. With support from his family and fellow farmers, Chandra has partnered with the city-based Pomex International, run by agriculture graduates Sunil Tamgale and Ambarish BN, to design his farm on a tourism model. Tamgale was the resource person during the ‘Super Star Farmer’ initiative launched by TOI’s sister publication Vijay Karnataka. The team is now planning to replicate it across Karnataka, enabling more farmers to withstand market fluctuations.Visitors enjoyed the harvest while also learning about the health benefits of pomegranates, known for boosting heart health, digestion, and skin vitality. The festive atmosphere, combined with the chance to take home fresh, affordable produce, turned the event into a memorable day out for many visitors.For more information on the initiative, call 6366656410.
