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Lawyer turned farmer defines his integrated farm as gold mine
Mr. G. Ranga Prabu and his wife Mrs. Gayatri have an integrated farm, spread across 18 acres in Pudupatti, Theni district, Tamil Nadu. GRP Farms is organically certified. Farm produced livestock based manure and natural pesticides are used in the farm. Mr. Prabhu shares the key to earn bountiful profits from all elements of integrated farming. Excerpts:
I studied law as education is essential for life. I did practiced law for some years but my focus was on agriculture and organic farming as our family is traditionally into farming. Later I quit practicing law and turned into full-time farmer. I learnt farming intricacies from my father. He is my guru. We rear pig, cow, chicken and goat in our farm only for manure. The animal waste is re-processed to make manure used in flowers, vegetables, coconut, banana, pepper and tamarind cultivation.
We grow flowers like sampangi, jasmine and andkozhikondai. We earn Rs. 6000 -7000 daily exclusively from these flowers. We cultivate vegetables, 3 months crop and in fruits we have
rich plantation of banana, one year crop and coconut trees, after every 40 days we pluck a minimum of 15 thousand coconuts. Coconut is sold at Rs. 5/piece. In all, we get good profit after meeting all the expenses from our integrated farm.
Different Farming Methods
I like to experiment with different farming methods in sowing the seeds. Presently we are cultivating pumpkin in 10 acres using the method that involves no weed removal. Consequently we incur minimal labour cost.
We then tried pig based manure in banana cultivation. We were told that G9 organic banana is difficult to grow and fertilizers the same is costly! On receiving motivation from organic department officers we grew banana. We bought G9 tissue cultured saplings (Jain brand) @ Rs. 15/piece and transplanted at the distance of 6*7 feet, 6 feet breath and 7 feet length.
In order to have best possible quality and quantity we looked for the precise nutrients required by the banana plants. We found pig waste was the best source for the same. We prepare compost from pig and chicken waste then it is left to turn into manure with microorganisms. Pig waste is composted. Twice in a day the pig shed is washed, and all waste and food goes into drainage. We filter to drain the solid which is composted and the liquid portion mixes in the well. We use this water for irrigation. As a result our banana yield was excellent. We earned Rs. 3 lakh from three acres in 9-10 months!
We rear Yorkshire and Large White breed pigs only for the manure that is produced from its’ waste. Besides pig farming is 100% no-loss business rather is 100% profit. We buy a pig for Rs. 6 thousand and sell it for Rs. 12 thousand.
Natural Pesticides
In my opinion farmers must go in for absolute no-chemicals usage in their farm. Its’ benefits are unlimited further there is no check required for season or measurement. Only when chemical fertilizer is used season and quantity needs to be checked. To safeguard the farm from any pest attack/disease/smell, we mix chillies and turmeric powder in tobacco soaked water and spray across the farm. It removes all the toxins, smell and also drives away insects but not kill them! In another solution, we use aloe vera leaves. We soak it with neem leaves for 48 hours in 10 litres of water. It is crushed and churned to make liquid spray. There are absolutely no harmful effects either on the crop or insects.
Once the farmer starts using natural resources for farming, slowly the farm becomes sturdy against pests and diseases and within a year the soil turns fertile. By spraying natural pesticides insects and pest are driven away but never killed! Within 3 years of these practices surely expense reduces to almost zero and earning increases.
Our entire farm produce is sold easily as it is very good in quality. Price definitely fluctuates as per the market statistics but it definitely never leads to loss. Our jasmine flowers remain the same even the next day as they are naturally grown. Vegetables also taste better. Bananas are sold at seasonal price which is not certain. Last year bananas were sold for lesser price, but it is costly this year.
In time to come we would continue to focus only on agriculture and our next step is to start an organic restaurant where all the inputs shall be sourced from our farm. The project is in process, most likely to commence in next six months.
Key to earn pocket full of money in farming is to prepare the soil properly, it is sufficient to get more benefits and yield. Mother earth should have its’ natural nutrients hence livestock based compost should be used. Microorganisms in the wastes are useful for the crops. With good sun light, air, and water the farm crop yield is multiplied. Rest in agriculture one needs to be careful about climatic changes, labour problem, etc. If farmer is committed and cautious in farming then he will achieve the immense success beyond imagination!
(As told to Ms. Jamuna Ramasarma)
Contact details:
G.R.P Farms
Mr. G. Ranga Prabu and Mrs Gayatri
No 136/7, Panchayat Office Street, C. Pudupatti, Theni District - 625556, Tamil Nadu
Mobile: 9962552993 / 9962551993
Email: gaya.srs@gmail.com
Mr. G. Ranga Prabu and his wife Mrs. Gayatri have an integrated farm, spread across 18 acres in Pudupatti, Theni district, Tamil Nadu. GRP Farms is organically certified. Farm produced livestock based manure and natural pesticides are used in the farm. Mr. Prabhu shares the key to earn bountiful profits from all elements of integrated farming. Excerpts:
I studied law as education is essential for life. I did practiced law for some years but my focus was on agriculture and organic farming as our family is traditionally into farming. Later I quit practicing law and turned into full-time farmer. I learnt farming intricacies from my father. He is my guru. We rear pig, cow, chicken and goat in our farm only for manure. The animal waste is re-processed to make manure used in flowers, vegetables, coconut, banana, pepper and tamarind cultivation.
We grow flowers like sampangi, jasmine and andkozhikondai. We earn Rs. 6000 -7000 daily exclusively from these flowers. We cultivate vegetables, 3 months crop and in fruits we have
rich plantation of banana, one year crop and coconut trees, after every 40 days we pluck a minimum of 15 thousand coconuts. Coconut is sold at Rs. 5/piece. In all, we get good profit after meeting all the expenses from our integrated farm.
Different Farming Methods
I like to experiment with different farming methods in sowing the seeds. Presently we are cultivating pumpkin in 10 acres using the method that involves no weed removal. Consequently we incur minimal labour cost.
We then tried pig based manure in banana cultivation. We were told that G9 organic banana is difficult to grow and fertilizers the same is costly! On receiving motivation from organic department officers we grew banana. We bought G9 tissue cultured saplings (Jain brand) @ Rs. 15/piece and transplanted at the distance of 6*7 feet, 6 feet breath and 7 feet length.
In order to have best possible quality and quantity we looked for the precise nutrients required by the banana plants. We found pig waste was the best source for the same. We prepare compost from pig and chicken waste then it is left to turn into manure with microorganisms. Pig waste is composted. Twice in a day the pig shed is washed, and all waste and food goes into drainage. We filter to drain the solid which is composted and the liquid portion mixes in the well. We use this water for irrigation. As a result our banana yield was excellent. We earned Rs. 3 lakh from three acres in 9-10 months!
We rear Yorkshire and Large White breed pigs only for the manure that is produced from its’ waste. Besides pig farming is 100% no-loss business rather is 100% profit. We buy a pig for Rs. 6 thousand and sell it for Rs. 12 thousand.
Natural Pesticides
In my opinion farmers must go in for absolute no-chemicals usage in their farm. Its’ benefits are unlimited further there is no check required for season or measurement. Only when chemical fertilizer is used season and quantity needs to be checked. To safeguard the farm from any pest attack/disease/smell, we mix chillies and turmeric powder in tobacco soaked water and spray across the farm. It removes all the toxins, smell and also drives away insects but not kill them! In another solution, we use aloe vera leaves. We soak it with neem leaves for 48 hours in 10 litres of water. It is crushed and churned to make liquid spray. There are absolutely no harmful effects either on the crop or insects.
Once the farmer starts using natural resources for farming, slowly the farm becomes sturdy against pests and diseases and within a year the soil turns fertile. By spraying natural pesticides insects and pest are driven away but never killed! Within 3 years of these practices surely expense reduces to almost zero and earning increases.
Our entire farm produce is sold easily as it is very good in quality. Price definitely fluctuates as per the market statistics but it definitely never leads to loss. Our jasmine flowers remain the same even the next day as they are naturally grown. Vegetables also taste better. Bananas are sold at seasonal price which is not certain. Last year bananas were sold for lesser price, but it is costly this year.
In time to come we would continue to focus only on agriculture and our next step is to start an organic restaurant where all the inputs shall be sourced from our farm. The project is in process, most likely to commence in next six months.
Key to earn pocket full of money in farming is to prepare the soil properly, it is sufficient to get more benefits and yield. Mother earth should have its’ natural nutrients hence livestock based compost should be used. Microorganisms in the wastes are useful for the crops. With good sun light, air, and water the farm crop yield is multiplied. Rest in agriculture one needs to be careful about climatic changes, labour problem, etc. If farmer is committed and cautious in farming then he will achieve the immense success beyond imagination!
(As told to Ms. Jamuna Ramasarma)
Contact details:
G.R.P Farms
Mr. G. Ranga Prabu and Mrs Gayatri
No 136/7, Panchayat Office Street, C. Pudupatti, Theni District - 625556, Tamil Nadu
Mobile: 9962552993 / 9962551993
Email: gaya.srs@gmail.com