How this Farmer Converted 'Almirahs' into High-Yield Fodder Systems for Cattle?
Saravanan's exemplary farming journey and his utilization of hydroponics to address challenges of land scarcity and fodder production serve as an inspiration to farmers across the region. His success highlights the potential of innovative agricultural techniques to enhance productivity while promoting sustainability.
In a remarkable display of ingenuity and resourcefulness, farmer P Saravanan from Namakkal has transformed his almirahs into hydroponic farms, utilizing them to cultivate grain for cattle fodder. As an experienced organic farmer, Saravanan has embraced innovative agricultural techniques to maximize space and reduce costs, thereby optimizing his farming operations.
Facing limitations in land availability for growing sufficient fodder, Saravanan turned to hydroponics, a soil-less cultivation method he learned from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), a government-run research center focused on sustainable farming practices.
Hydroponics involves the cultivation of plants using a water-based nutrient solution, eliminating the need for soil. KVK officials highlight the versatility of hydroponics, which allows for the production of various crops, including fodder, cereals, and pulses, on a smaller scale.
Saravanan's almirah-based hydroponic system has proven to be highly cost-effective, surpassing market alternatives in terms of affordability. By using maize as the primary grain, he manages to obtain approximately 4.5 kilograms of fodder from just 500 grams of the grain. The process takes about eight days to complete, during which Saravanan soaks the maize in water for 24 hours before spreading it out on a plastic tray.
The almirah's sheltered environment protects the tray from direct sunlight. Saravanan waters the crop once every three hours for seven days, after which the fodder is ready for harvesting. Encouraged by his initial success, he is now exploring the possibility of applying the hydroponic method to cultivate other cereals and pulses.
Saravanan is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and experiences with hydroponics, aiming to promote the technique among his relatives and fellow farmers. The cost-efficiency and high yield potential of hydroponics make it an attractive option for maximizing profits with minimal expenses, which is especially important for small-scale farmers.
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With over 35 years of farming experience, Saravanan has cultivated a variety of crops on his agricultural patch in Ariyakoundampatty, including cucurbitaceous vegetables, turmeric, groundnut, and fodder. His commitment to sustainable farming practices led him to obtain organic certification for his farm and produce from the Department of Seed and Organic Certification, Coimbatore in August 2016.
Saravanan's extraordinary achievements have garnered recognition from prestigious institutions. In 2018, he received the Innovative Farmer Award from the Indian government, along with the Best Citizen Award from the Namakkal district administration and the Best Farmer Award from the International Rice Research Institute, New Delhi. In 2019, he was honored with the 'Haldar Organic Farmer' award by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Saravanan's exemplary farming journey and his utilization of hydroponics to address challenges of land scarcity and fodder production serve as an inspiration to farmers across the region. His success highlights the potential of innovative agricultural techniques to enhance productivity while promoting sustainability. As farmers increasingly adopt such practices, it paves the way for a more resilient and environmentally conscious agricultural sector in India.
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