Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Nov 19: The vital responsibility of preserving paddy cultivation today lies with everyone. Unfortunately, it has become limited to speeches alone, with actual implementation being rare. The need and urgency to sustain paddy cultivation are now undeniable. Otherwise, in the coastal region, paddy fields that once provided food might soon become a part of history.

In an era where traditional paddy farming is nearly extinct, experiments that provide hope by adopting mechanized farming are underway. One such example is in Hadali near Amparu, where a team led by young farmer Santosh Shetty Baladi is engaged in agricultural activities. This year, they have mechanized paddy planting across 14.5 acres—marking their second year of such efforts, after cultivating 10 acres last year. Last year, district panchayat CEO Prasanna had personally tilled the field to inspire the youth to engage in paddy farming.

Inspired by this, several farmers have decided to cultivate fallow land with paddy this year. Some farmers have even offered their land to the team for this purpose. Despite high hopes last year, losses were incurred due to wild animal intrusions. Refusing to be discouraged, Santosh Shetty Baladi took precautionary measures by investing Rs 1.20 lac to set up a solar-powered Ibex fence, which has proven 75% effective against wildlife intrusions. Mechanized farming methods have reduced costs, and planting can be done in just seven days. The team has used 1,280 mats for farming, significantly lowering expenses.

Wildlife intrusion

Animals such as wild boars and peacocks have damaged around one acre of crops. These animals, which often invade the fields at night, pose a significant threat to the crops.

Lack of harvesting equipment

A challenge now is harvesting the grown paddy crops. Harvesting machines are hard to come by for the 15 acres of crops, with rental costs reaching Rs 2,600 per hour. Despite the high cost, machines are still unavailable.

Intense day-and-night efforts have resulted in healthy crop growth. Santosh Shetty noted that their labour has been blessed by divine results, and support for initiatives complementing agricultural activities is essential. Plans are underway for additional projects, such as fish farming in unused ponds and sugarcane cultivation. The group aims to plant a second crop across eight acres and grow vegetables in the remaining land.

Government departments must move beyond rhetoric and provide the necessary supportive measures. Cooperative institutions should back farming activities to ensure sustainability. More incentives need to be offered for paddy cultivation. Although the government has declared a support price of Rs 2,300 for paddy, only a price of Rs 3,000-3,500 will yield profitability. Farmers believe that announcing support prices in advance will motivate them to grow crops. Governments should stop offering superficial statements and instead create beneficial systems for farmers, they opine.