Udupi: Kulal Family Reap Benefits of Integral Farming - Show Less is More

News & Pics: Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/SB)

Udupi, Jun 20: Avarse is a remote village in Brahmavar, here, wherein majority of residents are peasants, toiling in their farmlands, with an exception that not all are solely dependent on farming. In such a scenario, residents Krishna and Jyoti Kulal couple have toiled hard to raise crops and make optimum income through integral farming. The efforts have been recognized with the Agriculture University, Bangalore honouring the couple with the award in recognition of their farming.

The couple's daughters Soora and Anita Kulal too have grown crops, but making use of experimental and innovative farming.

Every Inch of Soil Well-utilized

Krishna and Jyoti couple strongly believe in the maxim, work is worship. They own 4 acre of barren land with little water resources. They used to grow paddy only during monsoon season on a level plot,
while a large portion of their land was disused, till Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) began its operation in Avarse village. The couple voluntarily participated in the
agricultural study tours, training and marketing information programmes that were organized by SKDRDP in the district.  With the practical knowledge, the couple began to develop the disused plot in
their farmland. They hired labourers to dig up ponds during the summer while during the monsoon these ponds stored water and gradually charged the underwater resources. They set up low cost vermicompost unit and increased the fertility of soil.  They used greater portion of vermicompost on their farmland and sold the excess thereby supplementing their income. A wide variety of vegetables and crops are grown here which has found market in Krishi Mela thereby improving their financial condition.

Dairy Farming and Vegetable Variety

The couple also grew CO 4 variety of grass in their barren plot thus making arrangements for supply of regular fodder to their cattle stock which again supplements their income.

The couple also grows vegetables such as ladies finger, spinach, bottle gourd, cucumber and ash gourd throughout the year.

Emphasis on Integral Farming

Kulal couple lays emphasis on integral farming, by growing variety of vegetables, areca nut, cocoa, palm, pepper besides paddy cultivation, dairy farming and poultry farming making their own arrangements for manure through vermicompost and fodder for cattle through growing grass.

Daughters Embark on Jasmine Cultivation

The couple's daughters have shown the local farmers that they can earn substantial income by embarking on jasmine cultivation.

The duo has planted 50 jasmine saplings in 10 cents plot and were successful in getting a good yield by making optimum use of organic manure and cow dung. The pepper crop yielded them good returns last year, even if the neighbours suffered loss owing to pest menace. They give credit to organic farming for this difference.

Agriculture University, Bangalore honoured the duo for their remarkable in 2010.