A young farmer from the Jhanjhari block of Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh has rewritten his destiny by venturing into vegetable cultivation instead of sticking to traditional farming. After completing his graduation, Ajit Kumar Nishad prepared diligently for government jobs. However, when things did not go as planned, he did not lose hope and decided to try his luck in agriculture. Today, his adoption of the trellis (machan) method for growing bitter gourd has turned into a highly profitable venture.
Ajit began cultivating bitter gourd alongside traditional crops a few years ago. Initially, he started on a very small patch of land. After witnessing excellent yields and securing profitable prices in the market, he decided to expand his cultivation area. Currently, he is growing bitter gourd on approximately one bigha of land and plans to scale up the operation in the near future.
Low Cost, High Returns with Trellis Method
The financial dynamics of this cultivation method are highly encouraging. Ajit shares that cultivating bitter gourd on one bigha of land requires an investment of only about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500. In return, this minimal expenditure yields a substantial income of around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per season.
The crop becomes ready for harvesting in just 50 to 60 days. A major advantage of this method is that once the vines are established, they continue to produce fruit for several months. This eliminates the need for frequent replanting, ensuring a steady and reliable source of income for the farmer.
Steady Market Demand and Future Goals
There is a consistent demand for bitter gourd in the market throughout the year, which peaks during the summer and rainy seasons. Apart from local wholesale markets (mandis), the produce is easily sold in neighboring districts, ensuring highly rewarding prices. Since the trellis method keeps the fruits suspended, it prevents them from rotting on the wet soil, resulting in high-quality produce that commands premium rates in the market.
