JOIN USManjula Gangadhar Ramagondanahalli in Anagodu village of Davanagere district has developed a market-driven farming model that generates regular income throughout the year. She grows flowers and vegetables in her three-acre farm. The farm has been divided into various plots: while cucumber is grown in one-acre area, other vegetables like brinjal, chilli, tomato and ladies finger are grown in one-and-a-half acres.
Marigold is grown in the remaining half acre. While this is the crop pattern for this year, the plan changes every year as she does crop rotation. It has helped her maintain the yield of the crops and ensure soil fertility. The size of the plots changes accordingly. The family’s meticulous efforts ensure that they get the maximum yield from each crop. Her husband and children also join hands in the farm activities. After planting the saplings, it takes two months to harvest marigold flowers. She gets one quintal flowers per harvest.
A year ago, she planted drumstick in one acre. One and a half years ago, she planted areca nut in the entire farm. Flower and vegetables are grown as intercrops now. Coconut and mango plants are grown along the borders of the farm. A borewell that yields two-inch water is the only source of water in the farm. She plans the crops in such a way that they are ready for harvest during the festival season when there is good demand for vegetables and flowers. Growing crops as per the market requirement and the proximity of the farm to Davanagere vegetable market has helped her reap maximum benefits.