Deekshith D V

Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 11: Believe it or not, here is a man who cultivates his paddy farm, situated in the heart of the city from several years, despite rejecting several lucrative offers, demanding his land.

As paddy cultivation is gradually declining in rural areas of the coastal region and farmers are shifting cultivation from paddy to other commercial crops, Francis Saldahna, a retired superintendent of Karnataka Government Insurance Department, is into paddy farming on a 1.2-acre land.

In the city, several people have sold their agricultural lands for lucrative amounts, but Francis, a resident of Malaraya Layout in Chilimbi, has cultivated paddy on 1.2 acres out of 1.6 acres of land. Though several people have approached him, demanding his land for a profitable price, Francis did not accept it. And his love for paddy cultivation did not deter him cultivating the same.

Thirty years ago, Francis started the work of paddy cultivation. Even while he was working in the Karnataka Government Insurance Department, he used to join work by availing 15 days leave during sowing and another 15 days leave during harvesting.

Moreover, ten years ago, Francis had a pair of buffaloes to till his land. As he could not maintain increasing expense in nurturing the buffaloes, he had to sell them. Later, he depended upon a tiller machine for cultivation. Annually, Francis reaps 12 quintals of paddy from his field.

He also stated that nearly 13 to 15 labourers from Permude in Bajpe join him during cultivation and harvesting of paddy.

Speaking daijiworld.com, Francis said, "I have received several offers, asking me to sell the land. But, I always remember my father's saying, ‘It is always easy to sell land, but it is very difficult to buy land. Once a land is sold, it is gone. It is very difficult to buy land’.”

He also said that he is not into agriculture by availing loans. "When I cannot meet the profit in paddy cultivation, I balance it through cultivating other commercial crops and growing vegetables. There is always reward, if one works with dedication and hard work," he added.