IKON
At a time when there is a strong perception that farming is not a profitable venture, this farmer from Tapasihalli in Doddaballapur taluk has created waves by earning a profit of about Rs. 22 lakh a year from merely 2.1 acres of land.
It is his innovative drive and constant experimentation with multi-cropping methods that have helped 51-year-old H. Sadananda to reap a rich harvest. He cultivates nearly 30 varieties of crop on his land, including tomato and areca on half an acre each which yield him Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 50,000 respectively. Ginger is cultivated along with areca in the plantation, and it yields him about Rs. 70,000 a year. Mr. Sadananda has also made space in his areca plantation for rearing 250 Giriraja hens which he sells every three months to earn about Rs. 1 lakh a year. The poultry droppings are valuable manure for the areca plantation while agricultural waste is used as feed for the birds.
He has planted about 2,000 rose cuttings on three-fourth of an acre, which fetches him about Rs. 4 lakh a year, and has set up a greenhouse on one-fourth of an acre for cultivating capsicum and high-quality rose alternatively. Capsicum, cultivated for about six months, yields him about Rs. 5.4 lakh while the rose variety that replaces capsicum for the next six months gets him about Rs. 2.5 lakh a year. A small vegetable garden, a fish-rearing pond, coconut and jackfruit trees on the periphery of his land, in addition to coffee plants, papaya, sapota and lime trees also find a place. His cows produce 80 to 100 litres of milk a day.
Mr. Sadananda, who depends on borewell for irrigation, has installed drip irrigation system for the entire land at a cost of Rs. 50,000 (excluding subsidy). “Drip irrigation allows me to irrigate my entire land even with four hours of three-phase power,” he says. Besides, it prevents weeds and also saves him about Rs. 400 a day in labour costs.
He has been honoured with prestigious awards by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Several agricultural scientists, farmers and VIPs from India and abroad visit his farm.
What is the Job all about?
Applied Technology can help yield more and better crops within the same space area. Today, we have specialisms in Agriculture – viz. Agri-Business, Agri-Engineering, Agri-Journalism, Specialized Farming, Rural Management, etc.
Agri-Business firms employ people who have combined education in Agricultural Science, Economics and Business Administration. Government agencies, Banks and various Trade Organizations employ Agriculture graduates. In Agri-Business, you are exposed to Banking and Credit activities, Insurance, Farm Management – Co-operatives, Land appraisal, etc.
Agro-Industry involves the production of necessary chemical and mechanical products for agriculture, like Machinery and Equipment, Fertilizer and Lime, Pesticides and Herbicides, Feeds.
Agri-Engineering involves design and manufacture of agricultural machinery and power Farm structures, Soil and Water Conservation, Rural Electrification, Processing of agricultural products.
Environment: Environmentalists give advice and regulate the use of water for industry, domestic use and irrigation. They are concerned with flood control, drainage, pollution and the development of lakes and streams for recreation.
Agri-Research: This could be in Agricultural Engineering, Equipment and Utilities, New uses and methods, Conservation, etc.
Can you go for it ?
If you are inclined to work in Agriculture-related areas, then this would be a good area to specialize in.
Is there a future in this field?
Our huge population needs to be fed and therefore, the challenge to produce enough food is huge. The “Green Revolution” tremendously increased our Food grain Production. Our “White Revolution” – also known as Operation Flood – has made us among the top three in the world, in Milk Production and related products. The Blue revolution is inching its way to make us one of the top producers of Fish in the world. The “Pink Revolution” will take us to among the top 5 in the world in Fruits and Nuts production. And, finally, the so called “Yellow Revolution” will make us among the top producers of Poultry and Egg production in the world.
Where to Begin?
In Goa:
After the Std. Xll:
A full-fledged agriculture college offering a 4 year BSc.degree course at its Don Bosco Agro Ed Complex, in Sulcorna/Quepem. The college will have separate hostels for girls and boys, sports facilities, and workshops and agricultural machinery on its sprawling campus of 810 acres of land, out of which nearly 260 acres are brought under cultivation of crops like sugarcane, banana, coconut, oil palm, and cashew among other crops.
Outside Goa:
Goa does have a few seats reserved for Goan students in some Agriculture Colleges in the country.
5 seats in B.Sc. Agriculture, 2 Seats in B.Sc. Horticulture and 1 Seat in Agriculture Engineering. For Details you would need to go to the Agriculture Department at Panaji.
After Std. XII (with PCB), you can join Agriculture College for degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries Science, Forestry, Sericulture.
After XII ( PCM), you can join Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Food Science & Technology, Agricultural Marketing, Banking & Cooperation .
After Graduation, you can opt for Agricultural Management, Rural Management, or specialize in particular areas related to agriculture, i.e. Agriculture Journalism, Farming in Agriculture, Farming of grain, cotton, fruits, vegetables, seeds, tobacco, poultry and dairy.
Farming is an expanding enterprise and a big business; requiring land, large amounts of capital and technical knowledge.
Courses for Agricultural Engineering are currently available in a number of Universities / Institutions in the country.
A few are indicated below for your reference:
- College of Agriculture and Regional Research Station, Krishnagar, Dharwad
- B.Sc. Agri. M.Sc. Agri., College of Agriculture, Raichur
- College of Agriculture, Hebbal, Bangalore
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri. Agriculture College, Shimoga
- B.Sc. Agri., Agriculture College , Mandya
- B.Sc. Agri., Agriculture College, Hassan
- B.Sc.Agri., Konkan Krishi Vidyalaya, College of Agriculture, Dapoli – Ratnagiri
- B.Sc. Agri., Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, College of Agriculture, Dhule –Maharashtra
- B.Sc. Agri., College of Agriculture , Kolhapur – 416004
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., College of Agriculture, Pane – 411005
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., College of Agriculture, Parbhani
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., Anand Niketan College of Agriculture, Warora, 442914, Distt. Chandrapur
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., PG College of Agriculture, Krishinagar, Akola – 444104 M.V. Sc., M.Sc. Agri., College of Agriculture, Nagpur
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., College of Agriculture, Punjabrao Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Akola – 444001
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., Shri Shivaji Agriculture College, Shivaji Nagar, Morsh Road, Amravati – 444606
- B.Sc. Agri., M.Sc. Agri., The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) is a premier organization, monitoring R & D activity in the field of agriculture.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), promotes science and technology programs in agricultural research and training. The ICAR organizes the national level entrance examination for filling 15% of seats in State and Central Agricultural Universities for their 4-year under-graduate program.
The examination is announced in January-February and conducted in May.
Eligibility Course Qualification Duration
B.Sc. (Agri.) 10+2 (Science)
+ Pass in Entrance Test
4 Years
M.Sc. (Agri.) B.Sc. (Agriculture) 2 Years
Other specializations offered for the 4 year B.Sc. Program in Agriculture include – Horticulture, Fisheries Science, Forestry, Home Science, Sericulture, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Food Science and Technology, Agricultural Banking, Marketing and Cooperation, Rural Management, etc.
Employment Opportunities
Professionals can find jobs at various levels in the Government and Private sector ( manufacturing machinery, marketing farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers and producing farm products). They can also work in estates and plantations as Agricultural Experts. Opportunities are available in R & D labs and in the Teaching sector also. Farm experts can also seek self-employment by setting up Nurseries and Greenhouses.
With the plant like Jatropha having potential for bio-fuel production (and thereby be a part fuel substitution), there is a tremendous opportunity for Research in this area. Cotton / Tea / Coffee / Sugarcane are other crops that can change the face of our Country in terms of their wealth potential.
Money
As in all professions beginnings are difficult but once you prove your worth then the monies are very good.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/