Bilaspur farmer Mahesh Kashyap achieved great success by adopting modern farming with the help of Horticulture Department. He earned a net profit of Rs 14 to 15 lakh by producing brinjal and vegetables through drip irrigation, mulching and organic farming techniques.
Raipur. Mahesh Kashyap, a farmer of Kachar village under Bilha development block of Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, has today become an inspiration for the farmers of the area. Mahesh Kashyap, who was once troubled by rising costs and low profits in traditional farming, adopted modern farming with the help of the Horticulture Department and brought about a big change in his financial condition.
The direction of farming changed due to the plan of Horticulture Department
Mahesh Kashyap earlier used to cultivate traditional crops, but the Integrated Horticulture Development Scheme of the Horticulture Department completely changed his thinking and way of farming. Under the guidance of the department, he obtained a grant for plantation and fencing in an area of 2 hectares. By taking advantage of government assistance, he created a modern technology based vegetable production model, which could make farming more profitable.
Production increased through drip irrigation and mulching techniques
Mahesh Kashyap used scientific and modern agricultural techniques in his fields. He adopted drip irrigation system, which saved water and provided the right amount of nutrition to the crops. This also reduced the weed problem. Along with this, he made effective use of mulching technique to maintain moisture in the soil and prevent land erosion. The use of vermi compost and organic fertilizers also increased the quality and production capacity of crops.
Earned lakhs from brinjal and vegetable farming
Mahesh Kashyap cultivated brinjal in an area of about 4.5 acres. Along with this, he also produced pumpkin and other seasonal vegetables as an intermediate crop. He said that this farming is likely to produce around 900 to 1100 quintals. Farming cost around Rs 7 to 8 lakh, while the sale of vegetables earned him a net profit of Rs 14 to 15 lakh.
Role models made for the farmers of Bilaspur
Mahesh Kashyap has become a self-reliant farmer today and is inspiring other farmers to adopt modern farming. He says that farming can be made a profitable business by taking proper advantage of government schemes and using new technologies. This initiative of the Horticulture Department is proving to be an important step towards increasing the income of farmers and modernizing agriculture in the rural areas of Bilaspur.