To significantly cut down the rising costs of traditional farming, a farmer in Bokaro has adopted an innovative and highly economical approach. Instead of purchasing expensive bamboo poles to support his crops, he utilized old branches from surrounding trees to build trellises. This clever jugaad slashed his initial setup expenses and allowed him to reap remarkable financial gains from his ridge gourd harvest, setting an inspiring example for local agriculturists.
Traditional Farming and Low-Cost Setup
Kanchan Gorai, a farmer residing in Bokaro, comes from a family where farming has been practiced across generations. He undertook ridge gourd cultivation using the trellis method across approximately 70 decimal plots of land. Kanchan Gorai planted the seeds back in the month of June, and under normal conditions, the ridge gourd crop takes around 40 to 45 days to mature and become ready for harvesting. The total cost incurred for farming across this 70 decimal area came to roughly 10 thousand rupees. By replacing traditional bamboo with discarded tree branches, he managed to save around 5000 rupees on material costs alone.
Benefits of the Trellis Method
Explaining the distinct advantages of the trellis cultivation technique, Kanchan Gorai noted that during the monsoon season, moisture levels and waterlogging in fields increase significantly. Under such damp conditions, vegetable crops that spread directly across the ground face a very high risk of rotting and damage. This makes the trellis method extremely useful for vine crops like ridge gourd. Elevating the crop prevents the vegetables from coming into direct contact with wet soil, ensuring better plant spread, healthier vines, and cleaner produce.
Production and Impressive Profit Breakdown
Cultivating ridge gourd on a 70 decimal plot yields an average production ranging between 50 to 60 quintals. At the same time, the market price for ridge gourd easily fetches around 25 rupees per kilo. If an output of 50 quintals is sold at an average rate of 25 rupees per kilo, the total revenue touches approximately 1.25 lakh rupees. After deducting the initial investment of about 10 thousand rupees, the farmer achieves a handsome gross profit of nearly 1.15 lakh rupees.
Pest Control and Essential Farming Advice
Sharing valuable insights from his successful agricultural venture, Kanchan Gorai advised fellow growers that ridge gourd crops often witness heavy pest infestations on their leaves. To protect the yield from such damage, farmers must consult agricultural experts in a timely manner and apply organic pesticides to safeguard their crops and ensure optimal growth.
