Gadag (Karnataka): The ancient system of grain storage — Hagevu (the hole made in the ground for storing grains) still exists in the village of Thimmapura in Gadag district.
In North Karnataka, grain conservation practices are still prevalent here. In Thimmapura village, the practice of preserving grains is still in place.
Traditionally storing grains under the ground in the rush of modernity is slowly disappearing. But the fact that there are hundreds of Hagevu in this village. Traditional farming practices are still alive here. There are more than 450 Hagavu on one side of the 1.5 to the 2-acre area in the premises of the Government Primary School and Veterinary Hospital in the village of Thimmapura. There are currently over 250 Hagevu, and thousands of bags of grain are still stored in these holes.
There are currently 1500 houses in the village of Thimmapura. It has a population of over 5,000 people. The villagers have been cooperating with each other for a period of two to three years collecting grains in a vacant barn. There are large and small Hagevu with a depth of 10 to 30 feet into the ground with a capacity of 150 to 150 bags of grain. The range of the village is high with black soil.
White corn, wheat and groundnut are the main crops grown. So as soon as the crop is cultivated, grains are stored in these Hagevu. Thimmapuram villagers say that after a couple of years when we get the best price, we will sell the grain.
The chimney will be used before grains to take. If the chimney will be off inside the hole, the oxygen level will decrease. so may it cause health issues or death. In these modern times when grains silos dot the landscape, only the villagers of Thimmapura have managed to save the practice of Hagevu.
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