Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Brahmavar (SP)

Brahmavar, Sep 5: Of late, most of the people who undertake agriculture opt to depend more on chemical fertilisers to get high yield as opposed to organic manure. But there is now demand for organically grown vegetables and grains. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many have been forced to leave their jobs in foreign countries and return to their homes.

However, Nishan D'Souza, a youth from Neelavara, who secured a hotel management degree from Nitte, worked at Bengaluru and then in a cruise ship in the USA for six years, has returned to undertake agriculture under the 'back to basics' concept. He is finding happiness in his newfound activity.

Nishan has set up N N Farms' in a spacious land he inherited from his father, since he last three years. He has been fully engaged in the breeding of indigenous breeds of cows.

In addition to 48 different species of indigenous breed of cows, he also has undertaken poultry farming, eggs, vegetable cultivation, coconut, areca nut etc. His farmhouse products have good demand from places around Udupi. Before opening this farm he had visited different states to gather information. The breeds he has been raising have won awards at the cattle shows organized at Kota and Ellampalli.

Nishan has returned home after working abroad for six years, because of the attraction towards farming. He has found happiness in cattle-centric agriculture. He also provides guidance to those who want to undertake agriculture-based activities. He also has created his own Gobar Gas Plant and has been growing green grass for feeding the cows.

"The cow should be a part of agriculture. Children from the city visit cow shelters, animal care centres etc to see cows. Cow protection is not just extending protection to cows or giving them to cow shelters. We have to raise them with love and affection. With organic farming, fertility of the land improves. It is not easy to raise indigenoius species of cattle as their food habits are unique. In some places, in the name of milk of the local breds, a big, illegal business is going on. Therefore, our high quality milk does not command fair price, which is regrettable.

It is good if dairying is accompanied with horticultural crops. The food habits of the people has to improve. For that organic products should be given more impetus. It is good that the people are now more interested about health. Even if their prices are a little higher, organic products are healthy. The youth should show more interest in agriculture. For that the government encouragement is very much necessary," Nishan says.