Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Nov 1: A visit to the agricultural farm of Krishna Naik, a village-based farmer, is sure to amaze the visitors. On one side, rich green areca nut trees with bountiful harvest provide a touch of natural beauty to the area while black pepper vines that have grown around the stems of these trees add to the looks of the farm. A number of green vegetables and root vegetables have also been grown in the gaps in the farm. Bees provide background music to the lush green environment while paddy fields provide fitting accompaniment. This is the agricultural farm of Krishna Naik, an agricultural achiever from Tenkanabettu, Belve.

Getting involved with a variety of agricultural activities, and adopting an integrated form of agriculture is considered as an adventure. One needs to be passionate about farming and have the interest to work in the fields on his own in order to hope to succeed and earn a good income and achieve stability in life. Krishna Naik has proved these points. 

Krishna Naik who is dependent on traditional methods of farming is always involved with agricultural activities. Along with traditional methods of farming, he also has succeeded in introducing modern methods and mechanised farming.

Naik stands out as an example of methodic and systematic farming. He has grown only a limited number of areca and coconut trees, on the basis of his own capacity to look them after. He has implemented an integrated system of agriculture and has been growing 250 local species of areca nut, 70 coconut and black pepper and he has also undertaken beekeeping. He has found that by following systematic management, a good harvest can be reaped. 

This time, he has adopted paddy cultivation through Yantrashree system. The rich paddy plants in one and a half acres of the field stand as testimony to his hard work. Proper irrigation, management of weeds, use of fertilisers in recommended doses and prompt weeding can result in good crops. Considering Naik's achievements, he has been chosen as a Yantrashree soldier.

Vegetables: Krishna Naik grows vegetables in a half-acre plot. During the rainy season, he grows Chinese potato, yam, sweet potato, brinjal, long beans, coccinia etc. He is well known for growing Chinese potato. He also grows turmeric, taro and some other vegetables. He always uses organic manure for growing vegetables. He uses earthworm unit, compost pit and manure of green leaves.

Apiculture: It is beneficial if beekeeping is accompanied by areca nut plantation as pollination of areca improves and good quality honey can be harvested. Many progressive farmers have found out this truth. Krishna Naik is experienced in apiculture and has guided many farmers in this activity. He is aware of the need to use water justifiably and without allowing water from higher areas to flow away and go waste, he allows water to get percolated without closing useless pits. He plans to undertake pisciculture in these pits in future. In his land too, he blocks water flow so that the water gets percolated down. He is involved with Dharmasthala Rural Development Project since long and is a member of Veera Maruti group. He is the former president of Belve union. He has got loan and grants from the above project in recognition of his achievements. He is grateful to Dharmasthala Rural Development Project. He is a former member of Belve gram panchayat. His phone no. is 9480073900.