Given the multitude of problems in agriculture today, getting a substantial yield and a good market pose serious concerns for a farmer, but Mr. R. Kulandaisamy, organic entrepreneur and owner of Tari Biotech, Thanjavur says, “Increasing yield for any crop is not difficult. My newly developed Organic plus and other natural inputs can easily help a farmer increase the yield without spoiling the environment.”
Not paper findings
“My findings are not mere paper theories but practical experiments. I used my inputs in the fields of Mr. S. Ranganathan, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association and Chairman, Centre for Cauvery Delta Development at Perugavazthan village, Mannargudi. We recorded more than two tonnes of paddy from an acre,” he says.
Mr. Ranganathan readily offered 30 acres for this experiment and during the harvest several farmers, district officials, and scientists from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University were invited see the process and results.
Good increase
While the scientists' concern was more on how the yield increased using only organic inputs, the farmers paid attention to the number of gunny bags being filled. In fact after the preliminary introductions and explanations, the eager farmers expressed their astonishment and happiness to learn that the paddy yield recorded a fair increase.
“So far, for the last several years I could harvest 1 to 1.75 tonnes of grains from an acre. But after applying Mr. Kulandaisamy’s inputs I harvested about 2. 43 tonnes from an acre. It is 400 kgs more than the usual yield,” says Mr. Ranganathan. In addition he agrees that the cultivation cost also scaled down.
First time
Being a conventional farmer all these years, Mr. Ranganathan’s experience in organic agriculture according to him was not noteworthy. He says that “the media’s role in highlighting the awareness and importance of going organic urged me to try it.”
And he adds that “even now I am sceptical as to how the entire country can afford organic inputs, especially with dwindling land and cattle resources.
“But personally I am convinced and am planning to increase my acreage in the coming years to check whether it is sustainable. I always believe that organic farming is for health, and chemicals for greater production,” he says.
Many farmers who attended the harvest programme wanted the Government must make such practices popular in other areas of the state also.
Need of the hour
“As a farmer in the delta region growing paddy all my life, this is just what I need. Today for an acre of chemicals I need to spend anything between Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 as input cost alone. In addition, the labour shortage and low price makes it practically impossible for me to break even. But Mr. Kulandaisamy’s input for an acre costs Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,000 and I can hope to save some amount on the input,” says Mr. Ganesan, from Tirukatupalli village.
According to Mr. Kulandaisamy not only paddy but any crop can be grown well using this organic plus input.
“If farmers are able to follow my suggestion dedicatedly then I can assure that their yield can be increased. Those interested can visit my farm, factory at Thanjavur to see and get convinced personally,” he says.
University support
When contacted, the Vice Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Dr. P. Murugesa Boopathi expressed surprise on the yield increase and promised to help Mr. Kulandaisamy.
“It is the duty of the University and our scientists to motivate such persons,” he says.
Readers can contact Mr. S. Ranganathan on phone at: 04367-252170, mobile: 09442281037, and Mr. Kulandaisamy, Web site: www.tarigroup.com , mobiles: 98430-59117 and 98434-39909 to know more.