Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Sep 24: Total dedication and keen interest are the two easy formulas for making agriculture a success. Craving to adopt new things and willingness to experiment help one to find firmness and stability in agriculture. Sathish Hegde, a young farmer from Rattaddy village stands as an example to prove that even barren land can be converted into gold if hard work and confidence coupled with honest efforts are combined.

Integrated farming and organized farming are the unique features of Hegde's model of farming. His agricultural farm has a variety of agricultural crops and methods. Both traditional and modern methods of farming can be witnessed here. Mainly his experimental nature can be witnessed in areca nut farms. Several breeds of areca nut trees can be seen here. His successful attempt at undertaking freshwater pisciculture also is worth mentioning as this is a unique experiment in Western Ghat area. Perhaps farsighted thinking power and multi-talented personality are the special qualities of a successful farmer.

Sathish Hegde's land has over 4,000 areca nut trees, more than 350 coconut trees apart from other crops like banana, cashew etc. He also undertakes dairying and raises country breed poultry.

Born as the son of Shivaram Hegde and Gulabi Hegde from Rattady, he completed PU education and completed a diploma in electrical. He was a brilliant student and hence got a job in BSNL. But he did not find satisfaction in this job. He had the option of cultivating and he rightly took up the challenge to develop the agricultural land that was inherited from the ancestors. When there was a shortage of workers, he himself worked hard from morning to evening. He went on expanding the areca nut plantation. He bought an area that was like barren land at the foot of the Amasebail Kalsanka and with concerted efforts, converted the land into one that is highly suitable for farming.

In the newly acquired land, he planted Vittal, Mohit Nagar, Inter Mohit, and Inter C species of areca nut saplings. In addition to providing organic manure in abundance, he used the experience he had derived through his study tours for cultivating the plantation. Within four years, a robust, green and fertile farm emerged there. He also undertook papaya cultivation. His success at growing the Red Lady and Taiwan species of papaya is now history.

In 2004, under the guidance of Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (DRDP), he started Pragatibandhu self-help group for the first time in Amasebail zone at Rattady. Through exchange of labour schemes via Hegde Pragatibandhu self-help society, he achieved a newfound surge in farming. He availed of financial assistance from DRDP and made the best use of it.

People who want to study agriculture have visited his farm. Many have followed his ideas about model plantations. The way he has brought up such a beautiful farm in a hamlet like Rattady and also at the foot of the Kalsanka hill speaks volumes about this hard work. He has undertaken the study tour of various states and implemented modernisation, controlled spending, mechanisation, and modern techniques in his farm. He also has dug an agricultural pit and follows successful plans in agriculture besides undertaking season-based vegetable cultivation.

In recognition of his achievements, he has bagged agriculture award from Dharmasthala in 2015, best agriculturist award of Kundapur taluk in 2017, and Sablady Sheenappa Shetty award - 2018. He also served as the president of Kundapur taluk central society of DRDP during 2015-17. He is an enthusiastic young farmer who goes to different places to impart information about agriculture.

Pisciculture: For the last six to seven years, he has been undertaking freshwater pisciculture. He has built a tank for the purpose. He had got training organized by DRDP at Amasebail about pisciculture. Many who have drawn inspiration from him are now undertaking pisciculture.

He has a small family comprising his wife Geetha Hegde, who is a teacher, and son Arthik Hegde. His wife too has keen interest in agriculture. Hegde has found success in farming even though a government job was on offer to him. He keeps recollecting the support extended by DRDP, as well as the department of agriculture and horticulture.