| Albert, Arya Bhavan, Vettampally, Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram |
When Albert was a primary school student he planted a banana sapling in a heap of soil on top of a rock in their 2-cent plot. He had obtained the sapling lying on the way. And he had planted it on top of the rock as there was no other land available to try his experiment. But the effort produced an excellent yield of a 19-clustered bunch. Since then he has not looked back.
The interest in agriculture resulted in the end of formal education by 5th standard. However, the love of the soil, which he imbibed from his father, has guided him and today, the 41-year-old farmer cultivates 11 acres of leased land.
The main products are different types of bananas, legumes and tapioca. Since the farming is strictly according to organic methods, there is no dearth of demand for his produce. Further, he has opened a shop for marketing organic products from his farm and the neighbourhood. This results in gain for the farmer and the consumer.
Instead of seasonal cultivation, he relies on year-round production. This results in compensation of price in one season, even if there is drop in prices during some other time. He has the assistance of 4 farmhands and the help of his wife Rama and his children.
This farmer with a small house and 4-cent land, is content with reasonable profit that the sweat of his brow brings.
Courtesy:
P.S.Kumar, Karshakan, November 2007
Contributed by: Administrator
