Srinagar, Nov 23: Irshad Ahmad is a progressive farmer from the Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district whose interest in organic farming and hard labour made him a progressive and award-winning farmer.
It all started in 2010 when he completed his graduation and applied for a diploma course in Tourism Management in which vegetable tourism, as part of the course, attracted his attention toward organic farming. He took agriculture as a challenge and worked hard to grow vegetables and used a greenhouse for making seedlings besides bringing some new agricultural equipment.
Belonging to an agriculture family, today the 35-year-old grows different kinds of organic vegetables on the land spread over 10 kanals in Patalbagh village and generates an annual income of more than Rs 10 lakh.
An established progressive farmer of repute, he has been growing organic vegetables like knol khol, haakh, radish, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peas, beans, chillies etc.
The progressive farmer has also started growing onion seedlings on four kanals of land which she sells from October to November. He has been promoting the same to other farmers.
Irshad said he is quick to adopt any kind of technology that comes in the market. He has also been doing many experiments on his agricultural land in a modern way which has improved his produce.
The integrated farmer who also grows paddy, saffron, has been encouraging and motivating the youth towards organic farming and agriculture. “This year the price of vegetables was high and is going up day by day. This year one of my friends sold knol khol of Rs 7 lakh,” he said.
The farmer said vegetable farming has many benefits saying that if one crop fails they can try for another crop. He said there aren’t major losses in the agriculture sector. “Youth should use their family land for agricultural purposes. They should come forward and take agriculture as an initiative. It is a good opportunity for them,” Irshad told Rising Kashmir.
Many farmers and youth visit his farm to take a glimpse of his success and many have followed in his footsteps. It was Irshad’s interest in agriculture and hard labour that made him a progressive farmer.
This year he received the best farmer award during the International Conference on “Advances in Agriculture Veterinary and Allied Sciences for Improving Livelihood and Environmental Security (AAVASILES-2020)” held at the University of Kashmir.
He is also a recipient of the Champion Farmer award which was given to him by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha last year in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of Saffron and vegetable production.
Regarding organic farming, Irshad said low-cost production, quality produce has the opportunity to get a good premium price and organic production is economically viable.
“In fact, my organic farming and its produce have provided viable income to me which encourages me to do more hard work. Farming is an excellent example of my financial security,” the farmer said.
Recently, Irshad registered a company named Jhelum Organic Farmer Produce Company and wants to make pickles and other products which will generate jobs for youth.
“I will open a unit to give more employment to unemployed youth. I also want to make a garlic unit. I am also planning to open a seed shop to give quality seed to farmers at reasonable rates,” he added.
