Farmers in the country are adopting agricultural modernization, as seen in the practices of Harsukhbhai Dobriya, a farmer from Keshod taluka. His unique cultivation of Jain potatoes has gained attention, signalling the increasing prosperity of farmers in the region.
Farmer Harsukhbhai has surprised many with his successful and unique farming methods. He has shared his farming knowledge with several people. At 14, Harsukhbhai found himself lost during Parikrama in Junagadh. During this situation, he encountered a saint who gifted him a specific plant, a practice he credits for his farming achievements.
Harsukhbhai claims that the Jain potato, distinguished for its sweetness, outshines other types in flavour. At 75 years old, he attributes his sustained well-being to the consistent consumption of this potato. Harsukhbhai underscores that the Jain potato is beneficial for the body, deeming it crucial to his lasting health
The name Jain Potato signifies that individuals from the Jain community, who typically avoid root vegetables, can consume this particular potato. Unlike traditional potatoes that grow underground, the Jain Potato is cultivated above the ground, making it suitable for Jain dietary practices. The nomenclature Jain Potato likely stems from its compatibility with the dietary preferences of the Jain community.
Sweet potatoes with their large heart-shaped leaves and branching stems, serve as effective ground cover, suppressing weed growth. Originating from tropical regions in Central and South America, sweet potatoes thrive in the summer heat and are generally resistant to diseases and pests, making them an easy addition to vegetable gardens.
Sweet potatoes, often mistakenly labelled as yams, are distinct from true yams, which are tubers related to lilies and grasses. True yams have dark brown skin and less sweet white flesh. In contrast, sweet potatoes are true roots referred to as storage roots, steadily expanding as the plant matures. It’s noteworthy that the Guinness World Record for the largest sweet potato is 81 pounds 9 ounces. Unlike certain crops, sweet potatoes exhibit an improvement in quality with prolonged storage.
Known for their delicious taste, sweet potatoes are recommended as a cover crop by the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). In agriculture, cover crops are plants that are planted to cover the soil rather than to be harvested. Their rapid and dense growth, as previously mentioned, proves effective in shading the soil and competing with weed seeds.
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