Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SS)

Kundapur, May 20: Sidda Devadiga, a farmer of Harattu that comes under Giliyaru in Kota grama panchayat, has even in the scorching heat successfully grown cucumbers springing up a surprise among the cultivators.

Sidda Devadiga is also growing watermelons, ridge gourd (heerekai), cowpea (alasande) and other crops along with cucumber on his 2.5-acre land.

Sidda Devadiga is also into dairy farming and is cultivating crops without the use of chemicals and has become an example on how to cultivate crops using hutti fertilisers.

Devadiga, 63, is assisted by his wife Sujatha and has implemented mechanised farming. He has also shown and proved that with the right use of Varahi waters and with the requisite amount of hard work agriculture can be made profitable and lucrative.

It is said that in the Karavali soil farmers can cultivate two crops in a year. But, with adequate use of water Devadiga has shown the way to cultivate four crops a year namely paddy, cowpea, ridge gourd and now cucumber.

Many of those who belong to the Moodugiliyaaru Ugrani household in Kota panchayat have excelled in agriculture. Elders of this household have grown crops starting from paddy to all kinds of produce and have become role models. Sidda Devadiga is largely inspired by his uncle Rama Devadiga in agricultural activities and has shown the youth about how agriculture can be made lucrative.

Sidda Devadiga says, "I have been engaged in agricultural activity after learning from my elders. I have so far definitely not incurred any loss. It is possible to make it (agriculture) profitable by cultivating different crops and not by sticking to one crop. It is our endeavour for every farmer to get the best price for the produce. It is necessary for youngsters also to get into farming in a big way. Otherwise our country will go the way of our neighbouring nation."