Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Oct 6: It is hard to believe that a barren stretch of land that had remained uncultivated for 25 years has been transformed suddenly into a fertile piece of land within a matter of four months. The land, measuring 2.8 acres, which was invaded by shrubs, weeds and thorny vegetation over the years, is now resplendent with green vegetable plants and creepers. The huge skeleton of supporting structure spread over the field on which creepers have grown, holds long and robust vegetables. In another stretch of the skeleton earmarked for bitter gourd, green and while coloured bitter gourds are happily hanging. Ash gourds grown in the middle as the main crop are pulling down their creepers because of their robust weight. In between, we also see okra, cluster beans, bitter gourd, radish and many other vegetables.

Chandrashekhar Udupa, a progressive farmer from Kenchanur in the taluk, is the brave heart who has taken this challenge and succeeded in achieving this magical transformation. Udupa, who has got a diploma in horticulture, has already got national level awards on account of his achievements in the fields of cultivating cashew and betel nut. He is backed by rich experience of using cashew variety, Ullal, to the recent one, 'Priyanka'. Udupa has always been involved with making different experiments, researches, and achievements. Inspired by the success of growing vegetables as a mixed crop in cashew plantation, he evinced interest in the above barren land. He spoke to the owner of the land, and began his adventure early in June this year.

He hired JCB machine to remove shrubs and vegetations, and built percolation canals. He built Ibex fence based on solar power all around the land. He plowed the land well with the help of tractor. Determined not to use chemical fertilizers, he collected poultry, sheep, goat waste, bone powder etc and decided to grow ash gourd as the main crop. As ash gourd takes longer to grow, he planned short term vegetables which would be ready for harvest much earlier.

In 20 cents land, he grew ridge gourd of 'Naga' and 'Sania' species. He grew green and white variety bitter gourd in 40 cents land. He planted six-feet high areca stems and built pergola for creepers for firm grip and support. Ridge gourds are ready for harvest since 40th day and he is able to harvest two to three quintals of this vegetablesonce every two days. Bitter gourd is ready for harvest from 55 to 60 days and one quintal is available once in two days. Ash gourd will be available for harvest within a few days from now.

Udupa has maintained rich variety in his field by growing bottle gourd, snake gourd, cluster beans, okra radish et c. The entire field has been maintained very clean. Being located among agricultural fields, the entire land is equipped with percolation canals to see that excecess water flows out without stagnating.

Udupa, who has conducted in-depth study of agricultur e,has produced various types of organic manure and is aware about the method and quantum of manure required for each of the crops depending on individual requirement. He feels that use of chemicals and insecticides makes us to consume poisonous substances. He does not use any insecticide and uses nets and gum seats to regulate insects. He keeps close watch right from the stage of planting the seeds. He proves that planned and disciplined agriculture can bring profit. He feels that agriculture should not only allow the farmer to live, but also provide job to workers from nearby areas.

In addition to raising vegetables in barren land, he also has cultivated paddy in barren land by following unconventional method of seeding. Chandrashekhar Udupa can stand as an example for the farmers who believe that agriculture is a loss-making profession.

Tulasi as insect repellant

Vegetables naturally face threats from insects and diseases. Because of fear of insects, most of the farmers do not grow vegetables. When insects create problem, farmers tend to use insecticides which are strong, without thinking about the affect it will have on the health of consumers. Udupa uses gender-attracting net, gum seat and Tulasi. This net can be spread between lines of vegetable plants and the insects directly get attracted by the nets and fall into the traps. Udupa has found that gum seats are very useful for trapping worms, insects, flies, mosquitoes and borers which affect cultivation. He also has used the method of growing Tulasi at various places in between vegetable plants to successfully control insects.