At a time when farmer suicides put a blot on the agrarian sector of the State two years ago, Digol Thomas, an engineering graduate, started scripting a different farm story — one marked by hard work, perseverance, and fine imagination.
Avani farm, a high-tech precision farm at Arattuthara village, near Mananthavadi, in the district, has set a model for the State to emulate.
The State government selected Digol Thomas as the best ‘young farmer’ in 2012.
Digol Thomas was at the crossroads after leaving his interior designer job in Abu Dhabi when he visited some precision farms there which functioned there profitably and in adverse climatic conditions. “Perhaps, my frequent visits to those farms gave me the confidence to set up such a farm here,” he says.
He thought of the positives such as fertile soil and good climate. His father, Thomas of Aryapallil, a traditional farmer, also inspired Digol Thomas to go ahead.
When the State Horticulture Mission also came forward to offer technical help and financial support, he set up Avani farm on 25 cents of land. He spent Rs.12 lakh, including Rs.4.75 lakh as subsidy from the mission and Rs.4.lakh as agriculture loan from the Mananthavadi branch of Federal Bank.
Salad cucumber or English cucumber, which was not widely grown by traditional farmers then, was Digol Thomas’s first crop. He could also convince local people of the benefits of precision farming. He then grew vegetables which grew in cold climes.
“Now, many young men are ready to start such a venture,” he says.
He formed a collective of 50 young farmers christened ‘Innovative farmers club of Wayanad.’ The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation is providing technical and marketing support to them.
“Crops can be raised irrespective of external factors such as climate. This is the main advantage of the method,” Dogol Thomas says adding productivity and quality of produce would increase under scientifically created conditions.
“Dearth of workers is a major issue. A certain number of workers are required even if the farming is undertaken in polyhouse units,” Digol Thomas says. (Polyhouse is a tunnel-like structure made of polyethylene used in precision farming).
The Agriculture Department s taking steps to promote precision farming in the district. The department will set up a demonstration unit each on 500 sq m at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal and the Rural Agriculture Wholesale Market, Sulthan Bathery, Alex C. Mathew, Deputy Director, Horticulture Mission, says.
The mission will also take the initiative to set up three naturally ventilated polyhouses in select panchayats in the district. A structure will cost Rs.4 lakh and 75 per cent of the cost will be borne by the department and the rest by the farmers, Mr. Alex says.
This part, the setting up of 13 high-tech polyhouses will be taken up this fiscal.
Keywords: Digol Thomas, Avani farm, Arattuthara village
Appreciation for the Hindu for covering such inspiring initiatives. Kerala is hightly depended on neighboring states for almost all agriculture products. It is well known that if truck loads of vegetable is not arriving from neighboring Karnataka or Tamilnadu Keralite would be without vegetable in thieir diet. Once paddy rich Palakkadu district has been drastically transformed into concrete buildings and connecting roads. Coconut and other cash cropers are also not satisfied with the growing input coast and diminishing market price of their products. The initiatives taken by Thomas like persons are really passing inpiration to a large section of the population. A sharing platform for innnovators in the agriculture sector is needed to propogate the idea of their activity to others. Thanks to The Hindu, reader like me like to read such articles in every week.
This is such a wonderful news!! I had no clue what "Precision farming" meant until i read this article. Thanks for the valuable info, The Hindu.
Also, Hearty congratulations to the young man who has made the difference. We need pioneers like him in agriculture so that we can prevent "farmers suicide" atleast in the next generation.
This is exactly the type of farming India does not need. When many in the western
world are turning to eating local and in season we are beginning to eat english
cucumbers. There is also enough studies that this faring is not sustainable in the
long run and will only benefit those with the financial capacity. Low cost high tunnels
maybe a good option as they have a low carbon footprint.
A very good report which helps to convince people that precision farming has got its edge.It is like a wake up call to those who lament over the loss of profits in farming due to following only traditional methods of farming.From the experience of the engineer reported here ,it is clear that farming can be a lucrative business provide it is done with dedication and incorporating technology.
In India there are lots of financial aid and subsidies available for those who want to carve their own in the field of farming but unfortunately ,very little people make use of the opportunities.
Kudos to Digol Thomas for his novel and trend setting initiatives.
Great Initiative, how do we reach out to Digol Thomas for more information to start in my district Coimbatore. Email or phone number please.
This shows that Education makes a difference. Innovation makes a difference. We need educated entrepreneurs to change India. We also need educated broad minded persons to become politicians and rule India. Looks like this would just be a dream
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