Navikram LC originally belongs to Lakshmidevipura village of Doddaballapur Taluk in Bengaluru Rural district and is a very happy peasant today, thanks to expert and scientific advice. In fact, this is a complete turnaround of his situation personally and physically in comparison to that around ten years back.
Father’s property in dispute: Navikram LC is a Commerce graduate and took up farming soon after his graduation. However, the path was not of any red roses but full of thorns all along. His father had inherited seven acres of the ancestral property apart from acquiring six more acres on his own. But he was facing an uphill task when it came to availing loans from the banks as his brothers had filed cases.
Property divided, but cases continue: Although Navikram’s father divided the ancestral property equally among his brothers it was no solace as the envious brothers still continued with their cases. It was a tough time to get out of the legal battle once and for all.
Grapes crop removed: Once, Navikram began farming the first thing he did was to remove the existing grapes crop. He gave it a try by experimenting with some horticultural and flower crops with the help of advice from the Agriculture, and Horticulture Departments and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) staff and scientists.
The meeting stopped to give advice: Navikram LC reminisces-“I am really grateful to the officials of state governments and Scientists of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for the assistance rendered to me during my stint as an organic farmer. The help and training offered by one Sreenivasappa for grafting a variety of plants are memorable. Whenever, I visited the KVK in Hadonahalli, near Doddaballapur the officials were so kind enough that they used to stop the prescheduled meetings midway to offer expert advice. Thimmegowda and Mrs Anusuyamma Madam were very kind enough in advocating the needful for whatever problems”.
Thousands of plants with ½” water: The bore well drilled by Navikram yielded only ½” of water but, such a paucity of required water was no hindrance for him to continue his organic experiment in a big way. In order to make the best usage of available underground water he made use of a government subsidy to dig a farm pond to store rainwater.
25 varieties of Jackfruit: Thanks to his incessant efforts, Navikram has started reaping rich dividends. He has planted 10 varieties of Jackfruit and they include the graftings from Narasimaiah of the Kachahalli variety. This tree is said to be 500 years old while the fruits from this variety weigh around 28 kg each! He has also got a bumper crop of grapes, even though it is just 10-11 months old.
Teak, Coconut, Sapota…: Navikram has planted 200 saplings of Teak, 35 Coconuts, 4,000 Sapotas, Five pickle variety mangoes, Orange, Red sanders, 2,000 Sandalwood, Black Plum, and many others.
Sheep, Poultry, Cows, Buffaloes: Not just organic crops, plants and flowers, Navikram has also proved himself to be a success story when it comes to rearing sheep, poultry birds, cows, buffaloes, pigs, rabbits, honeybees and fishes. He has the poultry birds on the bank of the farming pond wherein the fishes are fed with the excreta of hens, hence no expenditure on the fish feed.
No pesticides and chemicals: All his produce is organic as no fertilizer or chemicals are made use of. His hard work is also well recognized if you glance at the innumerable awards he has bagged so far. They include Taluk, District and State level awards.
Rs 10 lakhs profit: Initially, he refused to divulge the proportion of monetary benefit annually. But, when insisted that his story would be an inspiration to many others, he opened up. Navikram is making an annual profit of around Rs 10 lakhs after deducting all the expenditures.
-Manohar Yadavatti
Property divided, but cases continue: Although Navikram’s father divided the ancestral property equally among his brothers it was no solace as the envious brothers still continued with their cases. It was a tough time to get out of the legal battle once and for all.
Grapes crop removed: Once, Navikram began farming the first thing he did was to remove the existing grapes crop. He gave it a try by experimenting with some horticultural and flower crops with the help of advice from the Agriculture, and Horticulture Departments and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) staff and scientists.
The meeting stopped to give advice: Navikram LC reminisces-“I am really grateful to the officials of state governments and Scientists of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for the assistance rendered to me during my stint as an organic farmer. The help and training offered by one Sreenivasappa for grafting a variety of plants are memorable. Whenever, I visited the KVK in Hadonahalli, near Doddaballapur the officials were so kind enough that they used to stop the prescheduled meetings midway to offer expert advice. Thimmegowda and Mrs Anusuyamma Madam were very kind enough in advocating the needful for whatever problems”.
Thousands of plants with ½” water: The bore well drilled by Navikram yielded only ½” of water but, such a paucity of required water was no hindrance for him to continue his organic experiment in a big way. In order to make the best usage of available underground water he made use of a government subsidy to dig a farm pond to store rainwater.
25 varieties of Jackfruit: Thanks to his incessant efforts, Navikram has started reaping rich dividends. He has planted 10 varieties of Jackfruit and they include the graftings from Narasimaiah of the Kachahalli variety. This tree is said to be 500 years old while the fruits from this variety weigh around 28 kg each! He has also got a bumper crop of grapes, even though it is just 10-11 months old.
Teak, Coconut, Sapota…: Navikram has planted 200 saplings of Teak, 35 Coconuts, 4,000 Sapotas, Five pickle variety mangoes, Orange, Red sanders, 2,000 Sandalwood, Black Plum, and many others.
Sheep, Poultry, Cows, Buffaloes: Not just organic crops, plants and flowers, Navikram has also proved himself to be a success story when it comes to rearing sheep, poultry birds, cows, buffaloes, pigs, rabbits, honeybees and fishes. He has the poultry birds on the bank of the farming pond wherein the fishes are fed with the excreta of hens, hence no expenditure on the fish feed.
No pesticides and chemicals: All his produce is organic as no fertilizer or chemicals are made use of. His hard work is also well recognized if you glance at the innumerable awards he has bagged so far. They include Taluk, District and State level awards.
Rs 10 lakhs profit: Initially, he refused to divulge the proportion of monetary benefit annually. But, when insisted that his story would be an inspiration to many others, he opened up. Navikram is making an annual profit of around Rs 10 lakhs after deducting all the expenditures.
-Manohar Yadavatti
A motivational article for agriculturists.
ReplyDeleteWith right decision making process and calculated planning most farmers are reaping very good benefits and as are Lords for themselves.
Tanks brother you are inspiring each and every one 🙏🙏🙏
DeleteVery good article on doubling farmers income. This can be followed by many others farmers.
ReplyDeleteThank you Very informative.
ReplyDeleteExcellent coverage on the farmer Navikran following organic farming. This will pave the wave for other farmers to follow the method of farming followed by Navikran.
ReplyDelete