Farmer reaps success in organic farming

Organic farming is still not accepted by many farmers in the country. However, a few farmers who have accepted it, have seen success in it. 

K D Krishnappa Gowda, a resident of Madabooru has been following organic farming in his land and has seen success in it. 

Gowda, a native of Theerthahalli was serving as Saloor Gram Panchayat Secretary. It was in 1998 that he purchased land at Madabooru and started farming on a full time basis. 

He was using chemical fertilisers on his land till 1998. “The idea of organic farming really fascinated me during the visit to Theerthahalli and started experimenting on my land. After 1998, I started using compost and, vermi compost as manure. I started following Palekar model of farming and after 2004 I started using Jeevamrutha in my plantation.” 

Techniques involving conventional and natural procedures are being employed in the system of farming in his land. Cowdung is the main ingredient of the manure used in this type of agriculture. 

To maintain moisture content, “I have been following mixed farming and using Jeevamrutha. Arecanut husk, frond of coconut, and husk of coconut is dumped to the root of the plants. Indigenous cow is reared to prepare Jeevamrutha.” 

“I grow areca on four acre land, rubber on 2.50 acre land,” he said. Along with areca, cocoa, coffee, black pepper, nutmeg and papaya is grown. By growing papaya as a mixed crop, it withholds water content in the land. As wild animals eat papaya, cocoa and banana crop is saved from wild animals attack. At the same time, he has grown mango, jackfruit and guava near the fence. This helps in checking wild animal menace in a natural way, he added. 

With organic farming, he  reaps eight to nine quintal of arecanut in one acre plantation.  He has reaped 85 kg of jeerige menasu. He also grows wild variety of ‘Murugana gida,’ gooseberry, ‘and Vaatehuli. 

Vegetables needed for his household is grown in his land. In fact, Subhash Palekar had visited his farm in 2007-08. “Those who were accustomed to chemical fertilisers, will not see success in organic farming all at once. One need to wait for the success. Through organic farming I could contribute a little bit in conserving nature.” The organic farming improves fertility of the soil and conserves water resources, Gowda added.