Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Nov 12: Interest and zeal can lead one to success in any field. Satish Hegde from Rattadi in the taluk stands out as testimony to this statement. He has proved that immense interest coupled with the attitude to accept new things and tendency to go for experimentation can do wonders. His unending attraction towards farming has made Satish Hegde a successful farmer. He has proved that hard work and efforts backed by confidence can turn even barren land into fertile ones.

Hegde's uniqueness lies in integrated farming and organizational farming. It is but natural for the farmers to come across failure when they depend on the same method of farming or grow the same crop year after year. Satish Hegde, on the other hand, lays stress on diversity and different kinds of agriculture. Although his main crop is areca nut, he has grown different species of this crop. This helps in balancing income and expenditure. He also has earned appreciation by undertaking freshwater pisciculture that is rarely undertaken in other parts of western ghats. Perhaps long range plans and multi-dimensional personality which are found in him are the unique features found in every successful farmer.

Hegde has over 4,000 areca trees in his plantation. He has over 350 coconut trees besides banana, cashew, and papaya gardens. He also undertakes traditional method of poultry farming. The freshwater farming he has begun this year he hopes, will add to the variety.

Satish Hegde is the son of Shivaram Hegde and Gulabi Hegde from Rattadi. After completing PU education, he did diploma in electricals. He was a brilliant student and got job in BSNL but satisfaction was elusive. The next option before him was agriculture. He then took upon the objective of developing the agricultural land that he had inherited. He worked in the farm from morning to evening whenever he could not get the services of workers. He went on expanding arecanut farm. He also bought a land near Amasebail that looked like barren, and turned it into a fertile field by making efforts.

Hegde planted areca nut saplings of Vittal, Mohit Nagar and Inter C species in the new land bought by him. He also drew from the experiences his study tour and used organic manure in abundance. Within four years, he could raise a beautiful farm full of crop. Hegde then chose papaya cultivation. He planted Red Lady and Taiwan breeds of papaya, created an agricultural pond there, and began pisciculture. He found that piscilculture offers an opportunity to increase earnings by spending less.

He started Pragatibandhu self help group, which happened o be the first ever such group in 2004 at Rattadi under the guidance of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP). He worked for agricltural development through exchange of labour scheme of the self help group. He made use of financial assistance from SKDRDP for agricultural development and revival, and made best use of the funds.

Hegde won award from SKDRDP in 2015 for integrated agricultural achievement in 2015, best agriculturist of Kundapur taluk award in 2017, and Sabladi Sheenappa Shetty agricultural award. He also served as the president of Kundapur taluk central society under SKDRDP from 2015 to 2017. He is an enthusiastic young farmer, who is always prepared to function as agricultural adviser and informant and spread information through programmes held at different places.

His wife,Geeta Hegde, too is interested in farming, although she is a teacher. The couple has only one son, Arthik Hegde. Hegde chose farming ove government job. He gratefully recollects the support extended by the officials of SKDRDP, department of agriuclture, department of horticulture etc.

Visit by people interested in farm study

People interested to study his methods have come visiting his farm from various places in the state. Many have followed his ideals and principles about creation of model farm. Rattadi, which is a backward hamlet, and Megaravalli, a barren place, have been turned into lush green areas because of Hegde's strenuous efforts in agriculture. His farm provides a good study material for young farmers. Satish Hegde has also travelled to different states of the country and undertaken study tours. Adoption of modernization, maintaining low cost, mechanization, and modern technology are the secrets of his success.

Satish Hegde stands out as a guding force for young farmers.