Reaping the harvest of hard work

CHAMARAJANAGAR: When farmers across the country are facing tough times owing to crop failure or low yield, this 57-year-old from Chamarajanagar district with his perseverance and hard work has made a difference in the field of agriculture.The success story of Channabasavaradhya from Kempanapalya village in Kollegal taluk is an eye opener for those who think that farming is no longer a profitable  venture. Channabasavaradhya is cultivating more than 30 varieties of crops in a small patch of six acres. He has developed a small forest on half-an-acre of land. What’s interesting is that he has achieved this rare feat all through organic farming.The farmer, who has studied only up to 7th standard, was quick to realise the hazards of pesticide within a few years of taking up agriculture in the 1970s. He said goodbye to modern agriculture and took up organic farming, which has got him more profit with less investment. He never sits idle, believing that it will ruin the farmers. With only one pump set to irrigate his six acres, he grows more than 30 crops like coconut, banana, turmeric, ginger, pepper, garlic, ladies finger, ragi, paddy, wheat, coffee, betel nut leaves, arecanut, groundnut, orange, pomegranate, sweet lime, chikoo, papaya, lime, tomato, beans, horsegram, cucumber and varieties of greens. Besides taking care of his family requirements, he also earns a good profit. He even grows the fodder and compost fertiliser required for his cattle and land. By investing Rs 10,000 per acre, he earns more than Rs 60,000 profit for every crop because of the good market for organic products. He is fulfilling his father Channavera Aradhya’s aspiration by taking up organic farming for more than 25 years. He has developed a small forest in half-an-acre, growing teak, tamarind, neem, bamboo and a banyan tree. He did not purchase a single log of timber to build his house and used his own trees for doors, windows and furniture.Twice a year he organises seminars on organic farming at his field, inviting experts to create awareness and inspire the farming community.