In Ranchi, Jharkhand, farmer Ghanshyam is earning close to one lakh rupees every three months by growing capsicum (shimla mirch) on just 50 decimals of land. His entire crop is grown through completely organic methods, which is why it is shipped to other states as well and fetches him a good price there.
A homemade fertilizer mix, from cow dung to mustard cake
Ghanshyam says he does not depend on chemical fertilizers from the market. Instead, he prepares his own manure by mixing cow dung manure, vermicompost, jamun vinegar, neem vinegar, kitchen waste and mustard oil cake. He calls this mixture Brahmastra Khad, and it is this homemade fertilizer that keeps his capsicum crop fully organic.
Polyhouse and tall stakes keep the crop safe
For his capsicum farming, Ghanshyam uses a polyhouse, which shields the plants from both intense sunlight and heavy rainfall, keeping them completely protected. He also trains the plants to climb upward along vines, for which large, tall sticks are planted across the field. This lets the plant grow upward with ease, and crucially, keeps the crop from touching the ground, meaning it doesn't get stained and the chances of pest infestation drop sharply.
Marigold flowers keep insects away
To protect the crop from pests, Ghanshyam has planted marigold flowers all around the field. This brings a double benefit, the marigolds themselves can be sold in the market as an extra source of income, and their strong fragrance is enough to keep insects from coming anywhere near the field.
Organic capsicum reaches metro cities as traders buy directly from the farm
According to Ghanshyam, organic vegetables are in high demand in other states, especially in metro cities. That's why traders come directly to his field to buy the capsicum, often picking up as much as one tonne in a single visit. This steady demand is what helps Ghanshyam earn around one lakh rupees every three months, and sometimes even more. By focusing his smart farming methods on just this one crop, Ghanshyam from Ranchi is now earning a solid profit, and his capsicum is known for being clean, blemish-free and of top quality.
