“Model Farm Training Centre”
Mangal from Pangaon village in Kalamb Tauka of Osmanabad district, started a vegetable business. “It was difficult to make ends meet & children’s education with low income. I didn’t know what to do. I bought a cow & farming became the basis. We used to do chemical farming. The annual cost was around INR. 50,000 However, to support the family, the income should at least go up to one lakh, which did not happen”.
“Sheetal Jadhav informed the farmers’ group in the villages about the safety farming model. After hearing the information, with the support of Swayam Shikshan Prayog, I formed a farmers group and conducted various trainings and demonstrations and also provided information about the government schemes.”
“I got trained in many things like cultivation, intercropping, fertilizer management, pest control, vegetable cultivation, etc. I have experimented with germination capacity, seed processing, soil testing and compost manure spraying. It was noticed that the cost of farming started decreasing and gradually the income increased.”
“To support my vegetable business. I planted one acre of chilli and pulses. I planted cilantro as an intercrop. Income from the pulses yield was INR 75,000 and cilantro was INR 40,000 and tomatoes INR 30,000. Then I planted watermelon. The income of watermelon alone was INR 140,000. I used a sprinkler drip to irrigate the water to save water. I used vermi compost and vermi wash for fertilizer and spraying, it reduced the incidence of pests. Now I am very happy to see my farm. I started a training center (Model Farm) on my farm. So far I have trained hundreds of farmers and also got solar pumps from the government scheme.” says Mangal BedkeSwayam Shikshan Prayog
July 2021