Shukla Prasad, a progressive farmer residing in Dhonghi village of Itiyathok block in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, has established himself as a model practitioner of modern agriculture. Combining 45 years of hands-on farming experience with scientific crop management, he has built a highly successful sugarcane farming enterprise spanning 24 acres. His sustained high yields and innovative farming practices have earned him recognition at numerous agricultural fairs and government programs.
Transition from Traditional Farming to Modern Scientific Techniques
After completing his high school education, Shukla Prasad committed entirely to agriculture as his primary profession. He has been engaged in sugarcane farming for the past 40 to 45 years. During the initial decades, he relied on conventional farming methods. However, recognizing the limitations of traditional cultivation over time, he proactively transitioned to modern techniques. He adopted the trench method and the ring pit method for sugarcane planting, which significantly boosted crop health, stem density, and overall output quality.
Sugarcane Cultivation Across 24 Acres and Field Management
Currently, Shukla Prasad cultivates sugarcane over an area of 100 to 120 bigha, which equals approximately 24 acres of farmland. He grows multiple high-yielding advanced varieties of sugarcane. His operational methodology places heavy emphasis on initial soil preparation, timely irrigation schedules, systematic fertilizer application, and periodic weeding and hoeing. According to him, implementing structured agricultural protocols minimizes wastage, lowers overall input expenses, and maximizes final yield per acre.
Cost Analysis, Turnover, and Financial Breakdown
Detailing the economics of his 24-acre farming operation, Shukla Prasad estimates the cost of cultivation at approximately ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 per acre. In return, each acre generates a gross turnover between ₹75,000 and ₹80,000. Across his entire 24-acre holding, the total expenditure per season ranges from ₹10.8 lakh to ₹12 lakh, while the total gross revenue reaches between ₹18 lakh and ₹19.2 lakh. This leaves him with a net profit of ₹7.2 lakh to ₹8.4 lakh per harvest season. Selling the harvested sugarcane directly to sugar mills ensures regular financial settlements, providing strong economic security for his household.
Awards, Recognition, and Guiding Fellow Farmers
Due to his outstanding contribution to agricultural productivity and his efforts to encourage nearby farmers toward technology adoption, Shukla Prasad Shukla has been felicitated at several agricultural ceremonies. Local farmers frequently visit his fields to observe and learn the technical aspects of trench and ring pit sugarcane planting. He maintains that when farmers adopt scientific methods, superior crop varieties, and disciplined field management, sugarcane cultivation transforms into a highly remunerative commercial venture.
