Retired govt officer turns into successful farmer

Back to the roots

However, G Venkatappa who retired as an assistant sericulture director has kept himself busy with agriculture - his passion. He has been an inspiration for many farmers in his village with his new experiments in the field.

Returning home

Venkatappa who retired four years ago decided to take up farming which he had to forgo due to the government job. His father had gifted him four acres of land which was not tilled for nearly thirty years.

He decided to grow BRGI tur as a mixed crop in the two acres of the land and today he is a happy man with the bumper tur crop. Inspired by him other farmers like Ramakrishnappa, Srinivas, Subbanna and Lakshminarayana too have grown tur.

New attempt

The BGRI tur is a six-month old breed which he bought from Agro company. The first crop had to be sold to the company. Farmers can avail the next yield. This has improved farmers’ financial stability.

“I have used cod-liver oil and jathropa along with other manure to enhance the yield,” he said.

The Agriculture Department has extended support to the farmers to check usage of pesticides gradually, he said.