Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Aug 10: Raju Ganiga, who was employed earlier in Central Reserve Police Force, now works as a temporary staff for PWD. Ganiga has also emerged as a progressive farmer through his unique experiment with the cultivation of okra, also called ladies finger in India.

Ganiga, residing at Hollaramane in Haregodu near Hemmady, always had interest in agriculture. Three years back, he wanted to do farming in his small courtyard. He brought some empty cement bags, filled soil and fertilizer and planted okra seeds there. He got harvest much in excess of his expectations. Inspired by his success, Ganiga put together 250 waste bags in 2014, and raised okra crop in his courtyard. He again tasted high success. He has been increasing the number of bags under okra cultivation every year, and this year, has been raising this vegetable in 400 bags.

Okra, which grows in abundance during rainy season, is being grown by Ganiga in ready bags successfully. The attractive arrangement of bags in his courtyard and thick, lush green plants swaying to gentle wind provide an exhilarating scene. Ganiga has been raising both the traditional species of okra and improved variety known as 'Haalu Bende' in his small space. A look at his tiny farm gives a sense of fulfillment.

There are lot of differences between raising crops in the land and growing in bags. Ganiga says that raising crops in bags is more cost efficient and more profitable. Ganiga believes in using practical ideas and theory judiciously when raising crops. He makes it a point to follow a set pattern to provide fertilizer to his okra plants.

In addition to raising okra plants in 400 bags, Ganiga has also planted other vegetables in 50 bags. Initially he creates nursery separately. He then puts sand mixed with organic fertilizer in empty cement bags and neatly arranges the bags by keeping a distance of three to four feet between them in his courtyard. He then plants the tiny plants. In the second phase, he puts organic fertilizer, and also recommended chemical fertilizer with a spoon some distance away from the plant. Flowers bloom in the plant in 23 days and in the next 15 days, okra is ready to be harvested. He harvests okra with a gap of one day in between. Every healthy plant gives 18 to 22 okra which weighs over a kg.

At the end, 30 to 35 kg of organic sand is available in the bag. Sand from all the bags are heaped at a spot for reuse next year. This sand is a storehouse of nutrients and the nutrients do not get washed away. Growing of okra in bags allows plants to grow branches and there is no need repeatedly pool together sand at the base of plants. As land area owned is less, recycling of sand is necessary, he believes.

Raju Ganiga frequently holds discussions with agricultural experts about experiments that can be undertaken, because of immense interest he has in them. He also collects scientific information about the growth of plants, importance of leaves, removal of flowers, laying of eggs by insects etc and ways and means to keep pests away.

Ganiga receives support for his interest in farming from his wife, children, and daughter-in-law. The family has realized that indulging in the hobby of agriculture also provides enough exercise for their bodies. Interested people need to give recognition to the initiative and achievement of Ganiga.