The arrival of the first monsoon shower changes the look of the fields in Chhattisgarh's Sarguja district. Instead of sticking to traditional crops in the kharif season, many farmers here are now turning to vegetable cultivation, which can deliver good returns in a short span. Acting on exactly that logic, a farmer in Mainpat planted around 10,000 radish plants in his field as soon as the rains began.
Why Sow Right After the First Rain
Ajay Das, who has been farming in Mainpat for the past 10 years, said he sowed radish by making ridges in loose, crumbly soil. For this crop he put in seeds at the rate of roughly 10,000 plants. The reason for sowing immediately after the season's first downpour is clear — the soil holds enough moisture at this time, and crop growth picks up quickly. To get the plants ready fast, in about 10 to 15 days, he used cow dung manure. Alongside the manure, other essential nutrients will also be supplied to the crop for healthy growth.
Crumbly Soil and Field Preparation
According to Ajay Das, loose and fertile soil is considered the best fit for radish. To get the field ready, it was first ploughed with a tractor. DAP fertiliser was applied so that the plants would receive nutrition in the early stage. He explained that radish plants begin to appear clearly in the field roughly 15 to 20 days after sowing. Crop growth is stronger during the rainy season, which is also why there is a good chance of fetching better prices in the market.
Market and Sales
The farmer is not worried about demand. He says radish sells well across the entire Mainpat region. Besides local markets, the produce is also supplied to nearby areas, which means farmers rarely face any major problem in selling their crop.
Care, Irrigation and Pest Control
Ajay Das cautions that the radish crop can be hit by pest attacks, so spraying pesticides from time to time is necessary. For irrigation, he has a pump in place, which is used to water the crop whenever it is needed.
Easy to Grow, Low on Cost
The farmer believes radish is a relatively easy crop to grow. The biggest advantage of cultivating on ridges, he says, is that spraying pesticides and tending to the crop become far more convenient, while the cost also comes down.
A Class-10 Pass Who Made Farming His Profession
Ajay Das studied only up to Class 10. After that, his keen interest in farming led him to make it his profession. He says farming supports his family comfortably and gives him a deep sense of satisfaction.
