Two Gujarat farmers, who employed scientific methods shunning traditional farming practices, resulting in increased yield and profits, were felicitated by Union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar here.
Jayantibhai Chimanbhai Patel from Bharuch district and Kharadi Zinabhai Fatabhai from Banaskhantha district were presented with a citation and memento at a coffee table book (on farmers) release function yesterday.
The book titled 'Harvest of Hope' accounts the success stories of 101 farmers, including the Gujarat duo.
Patel's farm in Kesargam village in Bharuch district, 100 kms from here, was no different before he shifted to papaya cultivation from cotton and pigeon pea, that just about sustained his needs.
Also, discarding the traditional irrigation system, Patel turned to drip irrigation system, promoted by Irrigation horticulture department and adopted schemes of NABARD and Krishi Vigyan Kendra from 2001 onwards, saving precious water.
He constructed a check dam for water harvesting and on the advice of scientists, diversified into papaya cultivation.
The measures he took increased the net income per hectare to a lakh and a half from Rs 10,000. He also saved 40% expenses on his water and electricity costs and half of his earlier fertiliser costs.
His product showed marked improvement in quality and he got access to larger and more lucrative markets like Delhi and other states.
Today, Jayantibhai is looked up to by farmers in his locality, who come to him for advice and help. His mantra for everyone is 'Shake off age old ways, Think big, Think smart and see your life flourish.'
Kharadi's tale from being a poor farmer in Vagadadi village in Banaskantha district bordering Pakistan to being a village panchayat and Farm Science Club member, also inspires many peasants in the area, who have taken up scientific farming methods to reduce wastage of soil nutrients due to excessive tillage.
Kharadi, a castor farmer increased the net income per hectare by an impressive five times by conserving soil on his farm with minimum tillage.
