Business Opportunities in Agriculture: 150 Field Interviews (Book)

Mr. R Kranthi Kiran - Engaged in vegetable cultivation with zero budget natural farming

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Engaged in vegetable cultivation with zero budget natural farming

To grow food it needs passion and persistence. Four friends sharing the same passion decides to grow vegetables. One of the partners, Mr. R. Kranthi Kiran left his lucrative job in Dubai and return back to India to venture into farming. “Since childhood I was enthusiastic about farming. On my return in December 2012 along with Srikant Reddy, Srikant K and Kalyan bought the land and started growing vegetables in poly house as well as open cultivation in 2013,” he adds. It started with coloured capsicum cultivation followed by European cucumber, French beans, red cabbage and broccoli on crop rotation basis. Cultivation of exotic vegetables is planned based on the market strategy and demand. The farm is located on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
Kranthi Kiran.jpg
Mr. R. Kranthi Kiran

The total area of the farm is 40acres. Poly house is developed in 3acre farmland with the capital investment of Rs. 25lakhs. “Government always promotes protected cultivation. Hence we got 75% subsidy on the initial investment from Telangana Government. The money was received in 2-3 stages as the construction proceeded,” he states. Rest the farm is used for growing 20 different varieties of vegetables in open cultivation. “Along with vegetables we also grow paddy, jowar, maize and soyabean. The fruit orchard having mango and sweet lime trees is developed in another 4acres.”
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Mr.Srikant Reddy

Planting material for all crops is procured from Hyderabad based Rizwan and Fito. “Capsicum seeds costs Rs. 5-6/seed, European cucumber Rs. 2-3/seed, broccoli Rs. 1-2/seed and red cabbage is the cheapest of all at Rs. 1/seed. We have planted 20,000 plants in each acre. 30cms distance is maintained between two plants,” he says.



To meet the requirements of manure for practising zero budget natural farming Mr. Kiran and his partners started dairy unit of 20 desi cows. “We prepare ghanajeevamrutham and jeevamrutham in house. These both are excellent plant growth promoters. 100 kg cow dung, 5 litres cow urine, 2 kg jaggery and 2kgs black gram are mixed together to make Ghanajeevamrutham. We nourish the soil with cattle manure before sowing the seeds. This practice is followed after every harvest. We also prepare 100% natural pesticides namely agyasthram, neemaasthram and brahmaasthram for crop protection. In our farm there is no need for any use of chemicals. Every aspect of farming is well taken care of naturally,” he claims.


A well planned schedule has been developed for safeguarding the crops from pest attack or disease spread out. “Every sunday we spray neemaasthram (neem oil) as pesticide without a miss. It is largely helpful in controlling the pests at the larvae stage only. Next on the preventive measure we spray agyaasthram twice a week to control adult stage pests in any,” he highlights.



Irrigation is done with utmost care and plan. “Initially we give precisely 200ml of water to all the crops. After 45 days we start irrigation and dosing also. Dosing implies spraying growth promoters and natural pesticides as per the schedule,” shares Mr. Kiran. Irrigation is done by drip in order to ensure accurate watering to the plants. It is completely automated. “We have installed recharging pits for all the bore wells so we do not face any water scarcity,” he replies.


Sharing the details on coloured capsicum production Mr. Kiran says, “Capsicum is 8-9months crop. It flowers on the 50th day and starts fruiting after 60 day till 8months. Initially capsicum colour will be green but after 15days it will change into red or yellow respectively.” European cucumber is 90-100days crop. It starts fruiting after 45 days. Broccoli and red cabbage are 3 month crops. “We want to cultivate cabbage and cauliflower as crop rotation instead of broccoli and red cabbage.”


The yield obtained from capsicum is 5kgs/plant and European cucumber 5-10kgs/creeper. “We are waiting to harvest Broccoli and cabbage as it is first crop. After harvesting capsicum, we sow French beans, then red cabbage and broccoli. All are mono crops. Broccoli and red cabbage are sown in October but capsicum, European cucumber and French beans have no particular time for sowing,” he states. Entire produce is sold in local markets of Hyderabad. “Capsicum is sold at Rs. 35-40/kg, European cucumber at Rs. 20/kg,” he shares.


Agriculture being labour oriented is the only challenge faced, Mr. Kiran says. “Inspite of having 11 labourers, I spend lot of time looking after the farm.”


When asked about learning the farming intricacies, he says, “We have Prakruti Vyavasaayam Group in WhatsApp with around 300 farmers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. We exchange information related to agriculture and stay updated.”


Profits in farming always varies, “But satisfaction to grow food always scales on higher side,” signs off Mr. Kiran.



Contact Details:

Mr. R. Kranthi Kiran

No. 5-149/2/131, Venkat Sai Nilayam, Flat No 402, Jyothi Nagar, Old Alwal, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad -500 010

Mobile: 09490387574

Email: kranthi.rural@gmail.com
 

Business Opportunities in Agriculture: 150 Field Interviews (Book)

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