Farmer advocates organic agriculture for land sustainability

CH NEWS

Belagavi

To preserve soil fertility and ensure a sustainable future, 71-year-old farmer Suresh Yallappa Pagadi from Mavinakatti village has embraced organic farming.

“In the past, I used chemical fertilizers and saw good yields. However, seven years ago, I realized that people should not consume poison. Since then, I have completely avoided chemicals,” he shared.

Owning 4.5 acres of land, Suresh cultivates sugarcane on two acres while growing rice, chickpeas, and groundnuts on the remaining land. Dedicated to organic farming, he refuses to process sugarcane grown with chemicals in his jaggery unit. “Some people bring chemically grown sugarcane, but I send them back. I only process organically grown produce,” he clarified.

Suresh and his family live on their farm, with his sons Parashuram and Jitendra actively participating in farming. They grow crops for personal consumption and sell the surplus. His jaggery, produced organically, is in high demand, fetching Rs 7,000 per quintal. Customers visit his home to purchase jaggery and its byproducts, helping him earn around Rs 4 lakh annually.

Despite potentially lower profits, Suresh remains committed to organic farming, ensuring that his land remains fertile for future generations.