A farmer in Rampur's Swar area, Mohammad Asif Ali, has made cow dung manure the backbone of his chilli farming instead of relying on costly chemical fertiliser. As rising input costs squeeze farmers across the region, his approach is not only improving soil health but also easing the financial strain of cultivation. Asif Ali believes that proper field preparation is the very first step toward a strong crop.
Two Acres Of Chilli, 150 Quintals Of Manure Per Acre
Mohammad Asif Ali has been growing chilli for several years now. This season, he has begun preparing two acres of land for chilli cultivation. While readying the field, he applied around 150 quintals of well-rotted cow dung manure per acre. He says organic manure makes the soil crumbly, allowing plant roots to spread easily and giving the crop a strong start. That is why he prioritises cow dung manure every single year during field preparation.
How Cow Dung Manure Is Bringing Down Chemical Fertiliser Costs
According to Asif Ali, he gets cow dung manure for around 70 to 75 rupees per quintal. There is certainly an upfront cost to buying and spreading it, but the benefit shows up later. Once the soil is already rich in nutrients, spending on chemical fertiliser drops considerably. In other words, the initial investment ends up lowering the farmer's overall cultivation cost down the line.
The Full Field Preparation Process
Asif Ali explains that the process starts with deep ploughing of the field so the soil loosens up. After that, cow dung manure is spread evenly across the entire field and mixed thoroughly into the soil with the help of a rotavator. The field is then levelled and raised beds are prepared, so that water drains properly and plant roots get sufficient air. The whole process is aimed at making the soil fully fertile before chilli saplings are transplanted.
Organic Manure Gives The Soil New Strength
Asif Ali says natural methods lead to healthier plant growth. As organic matter in the soil increases, moisture stays locked in for longer, keeping plants healthier overall. This reduces the crop's dependence on chemical fertiliser and raises the chances of better yield. Agricultural experts also say that well-rotted cow dung manure plays a major role in improving soil structure. It increases the soil's water-holding capacity, activates microorganisms present in the ground, and gradually supplies plants with the nutrients they need. However, experts caution that farmers should always use fully rotted manure rather than raw or half-decomposed manure, since half-rotted manure can end up doing more harm than good.
Swar Is Known As A Major Chilli-Growing Belt
Rampur's Swar tehsil is known for its chilli production. A large number of farmers here grow chilli every year, and the harvested crop is sent to nearby mandis as well as other cities. In pursuit of better yield and higher earnings, farmers are now paying close attention to field preparation before planting. If the soil is prepared correctly before chilli transplantation and organic manure is used in a balanced way, the crop can gain strength right from its early stage. This not only helps boost production but can also prove effective in bringing down the overall cost of cultivation.
