Udupi
The responsibility to preserve paddy cultivation today falls on everyone, but it is often limited to speeches rather than actual action. The urgency to sustain paddy farming is clear, as the paddy fields that once fed the coastal region might soon become a thing of the past.
In a time when traditional paddy farming is almost disappearing, some hope remains with experiments adopting mechanized farming. One such initiative is in Hadali near Amparu, led by young farmer Santosh Shetty Baladi. This year, his team has successfully mechanized paddy planting across 14.5 acres, building on the success of last year’s 10-acre cultivation. The effort was inspired by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Prasanna, who personally tilled the field to encourage youth involvement in paddy farming.
Following this, several farmers have joined in, even offering their land for cultivation. Despite setbacks from wildlife intrusions last year, Santosh took measures to protect the crops by investing Rs 1.20 lakh in a solar-powered Ibex fence, which has been 75% effective. The mechanized approach has also helped reduce costs, with planting now completed in just seven days using 1,280 mats.
However, harvesting remains a challenge, as harvesting machines are in short supply. With rental costs reaching Rs 2,600 per hour, the machines are still unavailable, adding to the difficulties of harvesting the 15 acres of crops.
