BONGAIGAON, Dec 28 - A hexagenerian farmer of Bongaigaon is trying to secure his future through organic agriculture and animal husbandry, setting a great precedent for the unemployed youths.
Nalini Kumar Das, 64, started agriculture in a part of his 16-bigha land at his native home at Chitkagaon-Hirapara, about three kms from Bongaigaon town, after retiring from his service at the Bongaigaon Refinery in 2014.
�I started farming in 2014 after my retirement. Now my farm is spread across 13 bighas of land out of 16 bighas,� Das said.
Gradually, he was able to develop his agricultural practices by learning technical skills imparted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Bongaigaon, and the District Agriculture Department.
Along with agriculture, he also started rearing country-breed cows, local and exotic breeds of poultry, besides keeping bees and rearing local species of fish in his pond dug in a three-bigha area.
�I�ve benefited a lot from the proper guidance and technical aid extended by the experts at our local KVK and the Agriculture Department,� Das said.
He, however, has not felt the need to avail any government scheme as yet. �When the need arises, I will definitely go for them,� he added.
The farmer produces vermicompost using cow-dung, water hyacinth, banana plantain and earthworms to enrich the soil in his farm. He also utilises the agri-skills learnt from Patanjali�s farming unit.
�I am growing vegetables organically and that is why people from various places visit my farm to buy vegetables in large quantities,� Das said.
Cauliflower, cabbage, french beans, brinjal, chilli, potato, tomato, spinach, bhot jolokia, cucumber and hyacinth bean are produced in his farm.
�I have already earned more than the amount of money I had invested in farming by selling my farm produce,� Das said with satisfaction.
His farm conveys a great message to the unemployed youths that they too can be economically self-dependent if they adopt such practices without wasting their valuable time and running after jobs.
The farmer has made many new plans to develop his farming techniques, and accordingly, he is moving ahead step by step to make his plans successful.
His next project is to grow bhot jolokia commercially, for which he has already planted seedlings of this pepper in a huge plot of land in his farm. He aims to earn a minimum of Rs 300 from each plant. He has targeted to grow at least 500 such plants in his farm initially.