Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Jan 7: If a farmer is able to market his produce directly to consumers, it is beneficial both to the farmer as well as consumer. However, nowadays, middlemen take huge portion of profits and farmers get very less for their effort. This increases the cost for the buyer also. However, Rajesh, a young agriculturist of Koravadi under Kumbashi gram panchayat limits sells his produce directly to customers. He supplies fresh vegetables at affordable price to customers.

Rajesh is an educated youth. He is completely engrossed into agriculture. He adapts scientific and latest technology in agriculture. He cultivates his produce through organic farming. He produces paddy and groundnut in three acres of agricultural land. The rest of his land has areca nut, coconut, cocoa and mango. The specialty of Rajesh lies in the cultivation of vegetables. He grows vegetables that grow faster in the sea shore weather where his land is situated. Mostly, he cultivates leafy vegetables.

Rajesh mainly cultivates green spinach. During major festivals of Kalavara, his spinach has good demand. There is a tradition of preparing traditional food on the festival of Shasti at Kantavara. For that, traditionally-grown, organic leafy vegetables are required. As Rajesh sells the produce at reasonable rates, his customers are also happy.

Rajesh also grows vegetables in combination for best utilization of space. For example, he grows red Amarnath leaves at the foot of the gherkin vegetable. Even before the gherkin grows, the red Amaranath leaves are ready for harvest. In addition, he also grows, local beans and snake gourd. He uses gobar-gas slurry and ash and gets good yield.

After joining Dharmasthala village development scheme, Rajesh did more experiments and progress in his agriculture. Study tours gave him lots of experience. He has gone to more than 20 districts by way of study tour. He is also conversant with other types of agricultural methods. In addition to being an agriculturist, he also collects Pigmi (small savings) money.

Rajesh experimented with growing Mysuru Aubergine and found success. He has also cultivated Byadagi red chilli. He has the intention of growing Bonsai. In addition, he is also thinking of doing a small garden on the terrace. He is also doing animal husbandry with hybrid cows.

The cocoa trees planted by Rajesh are giving yield now. As an internal produce for mango and areca nut, he has grown pepper and betel leaf.

On the whole, it has become a hobby and passion for young agriculturist Rajesh to do experimentation with different crops as well as methods.