Basics of integrated farming

Lakshmidevamma of Hosakote village in Krishnarajapet taluk of Mandya district has set a model for others through her sustainable farming methods.

She has opted for integrated farming in her 6.25-acre farm, with stress on multicropping and non-chemical inputs. Under the concept of live fencing, she has planted coconut, areca nut, teak and silver oak on the edges of the farm. While paddy, sugarcane and finger millet are the major crops, she also cultivates turmeric, ginger, pulses, sweet potatoes and maize in different seasons. She has also taken up floriculture in a small patch of the farm.

The list of plants doesn’t end here. To enhance the biodiversity of the farm, she has taken up tree-based farming. Thus, she has grown horticulture plants like papaya, banana, pomegranate, jackfruit and orange. Water harvesting activities and drip irrigation have facilitated water conservation in the farm. A biodigester plant generates sufficient manure for the farm.

Dairy, beekeeping, sheep rearing and poultry are subsidiary activities that not only help improve farm productivity, but also bring her additional income. “Farmers should be innovative and stress on both short-term and long-term crops to sustain,” she opines.

Lakshmidevamma runs a centre that conducts training in tailoring and she credits All India Radio for triggering her interest in farming.  She has visited farms, shared experiences with farmers and taken support from the Agriculture Department to gain knowledge about farming. Her eco-friendly farming efforts have been acknowledged at various platforms.