Integrated farming that can sustain a family is possible even if one owns a piece of 10-cent land (one-tenth of an acre), according to executives of the Dharmasthala Grameena Abhivriddhi Yojane (rural development scheme), which has put up a model farm on display to highlight this on the premises of Mangalore University. This is part of a two-day Krishi Utsav that kicked off on Saturday.
Many farmers were attracted by the model of integrated farming that showcased, among others, how farmers could earn a living branching off into fish farming, poultry and dairy farming, floriculture, alongside maintaining facilities for vermiculture, composting and production of gobar gas.
‘Decent living’Noushad, service representative of the Konaje unit of the scheme, said there were examples of farmers in small holdings improving their productivity by adopting integrated farming. Closer to Mangalore, one could witness this on the field of Vedavati Gatti of Konaje, though she has a bigger farm. Refusing to quantify the earning, he said a small family could make a decent living on a 10-cent land if it began integrated farming.
A three-cent land was used to showcase a typical paddy transplantation known as Sripaddathi. Only a single plant or two plants are transplanted when they are just 12 days old at a distance of nine inches and each bunch would multiply into 55 plants and result in a good yield, according to Ramakrisha, who has tried it successfully using organic manure.
At another corner, M.P. Lakshman of Kumpala displayed how one could overcome shortage of space to rear goats.
A simple wooden structure ensures that they could be reared at levels – at ground level and at an elevated platform that doubles up as a cattle shed for them. In a small place he has 17 goats and says it is a good business. The refuse from the goats turns into good manure for the vegetables he grows in his garden and on the terrace of his house.
The two-day show, inaugurated by Minister Ramanath Rai, is attracting people like a village fair does and will conclude on Sunday evening.
