Ray of hope
An integrated farming is a panacea for crisis in agriculture
sector, if we consider success story of a farmer at a hamlet in the taluk. For
farmers who are in distress due to crop loss due to vagaries of nature and
fluctuating prices, the innovative approach seems to provide a ray of hope.
With his success in integrated farming, Veeranna, a farmer
in Seegehalli, has set a model for farmers dependent on either single-crop
pattern or poultry for livelihood.
Bovines and earthworms fulfill the requirement of compost
for his field where he grows variety of crops, vegetables along with mulberry
for silkworms. Besides, the bio-gas plant fulfils the need for fuel in kitchen.
Sheep of rambouillite breed, cows of native breed, oxen and poultry are among
the livestock Veeranna has nurtured. Mulberry required feed over 1,000
silkworms a month, ‘raagi’, cashew, tur, coconut, mango and vegetables are the
main crops cultivated in his farm.
The benefits of integrated farming are many, he explains.
Demonstrating the models he has set up, Veeranna says the organic waste from
the ‘gobar’ gas plant provides nutrient to the plants in the farm. The urine
from the cowshed, which is collected in a pit, is mixed with the green waste
from the farm. The liquid will be sprayed in the field through drip irrigation
system. The residual solid waste makes for the rich organic manure.
Sericulture
Veeranna’s approach to sericulture is also innovative. He
has set up a shed using painted sheets to keep bamboo trays in which silkworms
are kept. The Odisha-model of this silkworm shed is useful in maintaining the
desirable temperature in all the seasons and is strong enough to sustain the
gusty winds. The shed is spacious enough to boil 1,000 cocoons.
The shed that was built at a cost of Rs 6 lakh has proved
beneficial, he said. Last year, farmers in the neighbouring Doddatekahalli and
Marappanahalli suffered loss due to damage caused to the sheds by the gusty
wind and heavy rain. But, the shed in his farm didn’t suffer any damage.
Veeranna says the integrated approach requires comparatively
less investment while the profit is high. He says he has spent Rs 20,000 on
construction of cowshed. He has availed a subsidy of Rs 10,000 given by an
organisation for promoting organic farming.
He has got a subsidy of Rs 4,000 for construction of pits
for vermicompost, which cost him in total Rs 8,000. The venture that began with
two kgs of earthworms has now grown into 10-kg earthworms. The vermicompost
produced in excess will be stored for use in future.
He has grown 10 quintals of horse gram on acres of land and
25 quintals of raagi on three acres this year.
The use of vermicompost for vegetables acts as a natural
deterrent to pest attack.
Another advantage of using the organic manure is that he
could grow mulberry without using pesticides for the silkworms.
Besides, he has also grown different variety of mangoes
through grafting. Use of machines to harvest raagi, grass and vegetable leaves
has reduced his dependence on the labour, as shortage of manpower is one of
biggest problems facing the farmers today, Veeranna says.
Farmers need to avail subsidies given by the government for
natural farming involving bio-digest, compost and vermicompost. As silkworms
will die if pesticides are sprayed to mulberry, organic manure and natural
deterrents can be used to check diseases and pests.
“There is an urgent need to create awareness among farmers
on the integrated approach to agriculture,” said Rajanjinappa, Savayava Krishi
Parivara Sanchalaka.
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