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| Achu, Nedumparambu High School, Karavram, Kallambalam, Thiruvananthapuram |
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After school hours, Achu, a 9th standard student of Nedumparambu High School, Karavram, Kallambalam goes straight to the 4 cents of farmland adjacent to his house and dons the role of a budding farmer. His 2-cent cultivation of snake gourd and 2 cents of legumes have now become the cynosure of the people of the village and friends at school.
Without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides, Achu has shown how to make farming a winning proposition. Using mulch, cowdung and ash as manure and a solution of tobacco as pesticide, he concentrated on the task at hand by handpicking and removing the pests, removing the weeds and watering the plants. All these he did without neglecting his studies and that has sweetened his sweating toil in the farm.
Achu’s father, who is a small-time farmer cultivating in leased farms, helps his son in digging the soil, while his elder sister Rani helps him in tying the rope for the creepers.
Being the harvesting season, the young farmer has been able to make some money out of his venture. While he has set the price of snake gourd at Rs.20 a kilo and the pulse at Rs,22 per kg, the villagers are only ready to lap up the organically made produce. This earning has enabled him to meet his own expenses and lend a helping hand to his poor father. Considering the demand for his vegetables, Achu has plans to expand his cultivation.
Achu in his farm
Courtesy: Baiju Mohan, Kerala Kaumudi, December 15, 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
