Sangareddy farmer’s alternative approach inspires many

Hyderabad: The State government’s efforts to motivate farmers to go for alternative crops in the wake of Centre’s decision not to procure paddy seems to be yielding desired results. Like many farmers, V Anand from Chapta (K) village in Kangti mandal of Sangareddy district has cultivated garlic and groundnut in one acre and 1.5 acres […]

Hyderabad: The State government’s efforts to motivate farmers to go for alternative crops in the wake of Centre’s decision not to procure paddy seems to be yielding desired results. Like many farmers, V Anand from Chapta (K) village in Kangti mandal of Sangareddy district has cultivated garlic and groundnut in one acre and 1.5 acres respectively in his three-acre land this season.

Anand decided to go in for these crops after his experiment at cultivating garlic in two guntas (0.02 acres) last Yasangi yielded good profit. “Investment for cultivating paddy is higher than cultivating pulses, oil seeds and other crops. In terms of labour for paddy cultivation and crop duration, it is almost the same but profits are higher in these and other crops than paddy,” Anand told Telangana Today.

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Based on Agricultural Extension Officer G Santosh’s recommendations last Yasangi, he invested about Rs 2,000 including land preparation, seeds and sowing, fertilizers and harvesting for cultivating garlic in 0.02 acres.

Anand’s garlic yield was about 100 kg which he sold in the open market for Rs 8,000. After deducting the Rs 2,000 investment, profit was about Rs.6,000. Buoyed by the success of his experiment, this time, he decided to cultivate garlic in one acre. “I am expecting a yield of about 15 to 20 quintals and of course my profits will also be very encouraging,” he said.

Inspired by him, many farmers in neighbouring Kalher mandal are now cultivating maize, groundnut and sunflower crops covering considerable area. “The government has been recommending cultivation of alternative crops and considering investment, labour involved and more importantly, profits, it is sensible to cultivate pulses, oil seeds, groundnut and garlic instead of paddy,” he added.

Kangti cluster AEO G Santosh said training programmes were being conducted for farmers in cultivating alternative crops. “Many farmers are responding positively and are cultivating sesame, groundnut and other crops,” he said.

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