Award-winning Budgam farmer aims for self-reliance in integrated farming

Srinagar, Dec 14: Syed Fida Hussain Safwi is a progressive and integrated farmer from Magam area of Budgam district who is reaping success of his hard work in multiple farming activities.
A resident of Shippora Budgam, he started farming some six years back. Before starting farming he wasn’t doing anything and their family land was not used for productive farming. .
“We used to give our 50 kanals of agriculture land to tillers for farming. Then I decided to use my family land and turned it into productive vegetable farming by starting integrated and high-density farming,” he said.
Safwi started with 2 cows, 100 poultry birds and crops like paddy, maize, apple, and later started vegetables like radish, chilli, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peas, beans, cauliflower, brinjal, garlic etc.
After receiving technical support and handholding from Krishi Vigyan Kendra Budgam, his interest in farming grew and he became an integrated successful farmer. He grows multiple crops in a season and sells his produce to local markets.
The 47-year-old farmer increased livestock and introduced improved chicken varieties like Vanraja, Keystone, and Kadekhnath breed (also called Kali Masi, is an Indian breed of chicken) under the Department of Biotechnology funded project.
Recently, Safwi has taken up unique duckery, fish and turkey farming. Presently, the livestock strength is 300 Vanraja, 100 Kadaknath, 350 ducks, three cows, and one fishpond.
The daily egg production at the farm is 150, milk production is 30 kg and the net daily income is Rs 3700. His annual income from the enterprise is around Rs 13 lakh.
Apart from this he also owns apple and peach orchards and he grows high-density varieties. The farmer also has a nursery where he grows high-density apple trees including Italian variety.
Earlier this year, he received the Champion Farmer Award from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST-K) during Technology Exhibition-cum-Seed Sale Mela.
He has also received appreciation at the Union Territory Administration and many other awards for his contribution in farming sector. He is an inspiration for other farmers in the area. His farm has also become source of employment for at least four youth.
“I am very thankful to Agriculture Department Kashmir and SKUAST-K for their unconditional support,” he said.
Many farmers and youth visit his farm to take a glimpse of success and many have followed his way of farming. His interest in agriculture made him a progressive farmer.
“Youth should take agriculture as an entrepreneurship as we have land available and it can not only create jobs for them but they can become job providers,” he said.
Regarding organic farming, Safwi said low-cost production, quality produce has opportunity to get good premium price and organic production is economically viable.
“In fact my organic farming and its produce has provided viable income to me which encourages me to do more hard work. Farming is an excellent example for my financial security,” the farmer said.