'Billionaire award' for Kundapur farmer

Mangaluru: A rice mill owner and progressive farmer, Ramesh Nayak, from Udupi district, has been selected for the Centre's ‘billionaire farmer award’ - to be presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a programme planned in New Delhi on December 7.

Ramesh Nayak, from Thekkatte in Kundapura taluk, expressing happiness on receiving the award told DH that he has cultivated different varieties of fruits at his sprawling 13-acre farmland in Kedur village. "In no time I was rewarded with a rich yield," he revealed.

He developed 'Kamakshi Farms," a tropical fruit garden in 2019, on the lines of successful farms developed by progressive farmers. "Those who are into business normally do not venture into farming activities. Out of interest, I wanted to make farming a profitable venture," he said.

Chandrashekar Chowta from Miyapadavu guided Nayak in cultivating rambutan. "Gururaj Balthilyar, a jackfruit plant grafter, helped me in planting jackfruit plants. Dr Dhananjaya and Dr H S Chaitanya from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Brahmavar also guided me throughout," he recollected with gratitude.

Kamakshi Farms has 1,634 fruit-bearing plants, including Rambutan (762), 'Dang Surya,' 'Prakash Chandra,' 'Vietnam Super Early,' `Singapore', 'Attavara' varieties of jackfruit (285), 500 plants of dragon fruit, 23 plants of Durian, 12 plants of Mangosteen, nine plants of mango, seven plants of sweet hog plum, four plants of breadfruit, sapota, four mint lemon, and 26 other fruit plants. He also cultivated pineapple and papaya.

Nayak, stressing the scientific method of cultivation, says optimum spacing between plants should be maintained. Soil testing must be carried out, and based on the recommendations of scientists, nutrients should be provided to the plants. He revealed cultivating trees bearing fruits without chemicals. "Besides cultivating fruits, we also pack them in boxes to be sold to consumers," Nayak said.

He said rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures, dug in the farm, had helped in the percolation of excess rainwater. RWH structures also have helped in retaining soil moisture during the summer. The farm uses water from a borewell which has only one inch of water. He said drip irrigation had helped in the judicious usage of water. Based on the water requirement of plant species, different types of jets were used for watering.

"Farmers keen on fruit gardens should purchase plants from certified nurseries and visit gardens with plants procured from that nursery. To retain soil moisture during summers, mulching of organic wastes and pruning of plants should be taken up regularly," he said. It is better to provide jeevamrutha, cow dung manure, panchagavya, and organic manure regularly for better growth of plants, the 'billionaire farmer' added with a smile.