A farmer named Palaniappan has produced record yield by following 100% organic cultivation techniques. He cultivates paddy and bananas organically near Tiruputhur and produces 15 tonnes of seed paddy per annum.
Palaniappan is a PUC graduate from Sirukoodalpatti. He was recently awarded the best farmer award in the district a few years ago. He has achieved this by following traditional agricultural practices on 10 acres of land. Palaniappan had heard about Nammazhvar and he switched to organic farming by means of traditional farming methods.
Seeing his achievements in paddy, banana and vegetable production in natural agriculture, the Department of Agriculture t have given him the contract for seed paddy production. He produces 15 tons of seed paddy in 10 acres annually. He also cultivates bananas and sells plantain leaves and fruits. He is also earning from rearing cows and poultry farming as a side venture.
Palaniappan said, ‘Farmers who want to switch to organic farming have to work hard to condition the soil for the first two years. In the Tamil month of Aadi should be ploughed twice as much. Then, this soil can be sown and used for cultivating the crop for the next 40 days. The seedlings can be replanted after growing in the nursery on the 15th day after sowing. In arid areas, weeds grow easily. This can be prevented by ploughing when it rains. 15 days after transplanting, it is important to apply Pancha Kavya to the soil. Even an inch of water is enough to cultivate a hedge along the sides of the field.”
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