Karimnagar farmer plants India map in paddy field

Mallikarjun Reddy, who has won several state and national level awards in agriculture, took up this exercise on the occasion of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav'.

Karimnagar: Mavuram Mallikarjun Reddy, a young model farmer from Karimnagar district in Telangana State, decided to do something unique to express his patriotism for the country, and what better way to show it than in his agriculture field. He planted black paddy saplings outlining the map of India in his lush green field.

Mallikarjun Reddy, who has won several state and national level awards in agriculture, took up this exercise on the occasion of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav’, in his agriculture field in Peddakurmapalli of Choppadandi mandal. To ensure that the Indian map’s outline comes across strikingly, he planted Kalabatti (black paddy) saplings. He has also decided that he will hoist the national flag in his agriculture field every day throughout the year beginning August 15.

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Speaking to Telangana Today, Mallikarjun Reddy said he and his wife Sandhya quit their software jobs in 2014 and opted for agriculture as a profession. The couple cultivates a variety of crops in the 17 acres of land using only organic farming methods. He won Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) award for cultivating different varieties of organic crops in February this year.

After completing his education, Mallikarjun Reddy joined a software firm in Hyderabad in 2006. In 2010, he married Sandhya, an MBA graduate. Both worked as software engineers in Hyderabad. Unhappy with his job, Mallikarjun Reddy wanted to get out of the profession and persuaded Sandhya also to join him. They began cultivation in 12 acres of land owned by the family in the village, and once their confidence built up after the success in the field, they leased another five acres to cultivate 26 different varieties of crops.

Initially, he cultivated paddy in 12 acres but failed to make much profit. Subsequently, he approached agriculture scientists in Professor Jayashankar Agriculture University to learn certain farming techniques. Instead of chemical-based manure, he started practicing organic farming methods. He prepares manure using farm animal dung and neem leaves. Besides paddy, they also grow vegetables and ginger.

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