Srinagar, Nov 8: A farmer from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has started peanut farming this year on his agriculture land and plans to extend it in the next season.
Last month, Ghulam Ahmad Ganie, of Lalpora area of Kupwara, for the first time harvested first peanut crop bringing cheers to the entire village as the crop is very unique in Kashmir in terms of cultivation.
Ganie has been associated with farming for a long time. He said in March this year his son brought 100 grams of peanut seed from Punjab and sowed it in their existing agriculture land.
“We had already sowed peanut crop some five years back but that time we had no information how to sow. I already cultivate vegetables. This for the second time I tried the peanut crop. All the people in our village very happy when we harvested it,” Ganie told Rising Kashmir.
The 55-year-old farmer said this year he harvested some 15 kgs of peanut and plans to sow the seed next year in more land. “I sent the pictures of the produce to an official of Agriculture Department then he came to our home and appreciated us. I have also kept the seed at home for the further production next year I want to explore it more. I also used fertilizer for the same and it gave good results,” he said.
Ganie is known for his hybrid vegetable produce. He has three green houses and cultivates different kinds of hybrid vegetable varieties on a land spread over five kanals.
He has been growing organic vegetables like radish, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peas, beans, chillies. Now, Ganie is an established progressive farmer of repute and yearly earns Rs 2 lakh from vegetable produce.
This is the only source of income for the family. His family including his daughter and son also help him in the agriculture activities.
Ganie said that the Agriculture Department has been very helpful and have provided some hybrid seeds to him which has improved this vegetable produce.
In summer, many farmers visit his farm to know the techniques and many have followed his footsteps. Regarding farming, Ganie said low-cost production, quality produce has opportunity to get good premium price and organic production is economically viable. “Farming is an excellent example for my financial security. Youth should come forward and explore the framing which will also create job opportunities for others,” he said.
