Rs 60,000 Investment, Rs 3 Lakh Profit: How This Bastar Farmer Cashed In On Cucumbers Bastar farmer Tulsi Kashyap grows cucumbers in every season, spending around Rs 60,000-70,000 an acre while earning up to Rs 3 lakh in profit. A farmer in Bastar, Tulsi Kashyap, has turned cucumber cultivation into a reliable source of big earnings by growing the vegetable in every season instead of sticking to just one harvest a year. Cucumbers stay in steady demand throughout the year, though the crop performs especially well during the rainy season, and it rarely falls prey to major diseases, which keeps input costs low while returns stay high. A Crop That Pays Off in Just Two to Three Months The cucumber crop matures in roughly two to three months and still delivers a bumper yield in that short window. Demand from hotels and restaurants has been rising steadily because cucumbers are widely regarded as good for health. Farmers who follow the right cultivation method can earn anywhere between two and a half to three lakh rupees within this short cropping cycle. From Ploughing the Field to Sowing the Seed Kashyap explains that the process begins with ploughing the field, followed by a second round of ploughing using a rotavator to loosen the soil. Raised beds are then prepared, spaced four and a half feet apart, with individual plants placed one foot apart from each other. Farmers can either raise seedlings and transplant them or sow the seeds directly into the beds. Kashyap grows the VNR 212 variety of cucumber. For nutrients, he uses DAP, potash and super phosphate along with cow dung manure, applying about one trolley load of cow dung manure per acre. Guarding Against Downy and Powdery Mildew The crop remains vulnerable to downy mildew and powdery mildew, two diseases that require timely fungicide spraying to keep in check. The plants are typically ready for the first harvest within a month of sowing, and the entire picking period wraps up within one and a half months. Demand and prices both climb further around festival season, pushing up the overall profit for growers. Managing Drainage and Mulching During the Rains Early on, the plants are tied to a rope so the vine can climb upward properly. Farmers growing cucumbers during the monsoon need to pay close attention to drainage, since waterlogging can kill the plants outright. Using the high-tech mulching method offers an added advantage, helping retain soil moisture and keep weed growth down. Rs 60,000-70,000 Investment, Up to Rs 3 Lakh in Profit Per Acre According to Kashyap, cultivating cucumbers on one acre of land costs him around Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000. Against that investment, he expects a profit of two to three lakh rupees. With such a favourable cost-to-profit ratio, this low-investment, high-return crop is increasingly becoming a model that other farmers in the region are looking to follow. What this means for you Anyone looking for a low-cost, high-return crop can take a cue from this cucumber farming model. • Across India: Farmers elsewhere can replicate this approach with an investment of just Rs 60,000-70,000 and potentially earn two and a half to three lakh rupees within two to three months. • In Bastar: Local farmers who follow Tulsi Kashyap's method, including during the monsoon, can boost their income and improve the supply of fresh cucumbers in the local market. Questions & Answers 1. Where is farmer Tulsi Kashyap from? Tulsi Kashyap is a farmer from Bastar who grows cucumbers in every season. 2. How much does an acre of cucumber farming cost, and what's the profit? An acre costs around Rs 60,000-70,000 to cultivate, yielding a profit of two to three lakh rupees. 3. How long does the cucumber crop take to be ready? The crop is ready in about a month and the entire harvesting period wraps up within one and a half months, with the full cycle lasting two to three months. 4. Which variety of cucumber is grown? Kashyap grows the VNR 212 variety of cucumber. 5. What spacing is used between beds and plants? Beds are spaced four and a half feet apart, while individual plants are placed one foot apart. 6. What diseases affect the crop and how are they managed? The crop is prone to downy mildew and powdery mildew, which are managed with timely fungicide spraying. Inspiration & Lessons Tulsi Kashyap's journey shows how picking the right crop and the right technique can turn a small plot of land into a big earner. • Choose a low-risk crop: Opting for a crop like cucumber that isn't prone to major diseases keeps costs down from the start. • Follow proven techniques: Correct bed spacing, an improved variety like VNR 212, and a balanced mix of fertilizers help maximise yield. • Stay ahead of disease: Timely fungicide spraying against downy and powdery mildew protects the crop before it's too late. • Adapt to the season: Using proper drainage and mulching during the monsoon prevents waterlogging from destroying the crop. • Time the market: Selling around the festival season, when both demand and prices rise, boosts overall profit. https://trendkia.com/en/business/bastar-ke-kisana-tulsi-kashyap-ne-khire-ki-kheti-se-badali-kismata-70-hajara-ki-lagata-para-3-lakha-ka-munapha-4931 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.