Hanumanth Meti, a farmer from Gunnala village, has become a beacon of inspiration in the agriculture sector by cultivating 80 quintals of maize on his two-acre farmland. Utilizing a blend of modern and traditional farming techniques, Hanumanth has demonstrated the potential for innovation in agriculture. Initially, he faced losses due to expensive seeds that did not guarantee higher yields. Learning from these failures, he turned to indigenous methods to enrich his soil.
Guided by model farmer Yedukotesh Komalapur, Hanumanth began using sheep waste to fertilize his fields before planting maize seeds purchased at average prices. He balanced this with modern fertilizers like DAP, urea, and potash. Sowing 7.5 kg of maize seeds per acre, Hanumanth found that even moderate rainfall sufficed for his crops, allowing him to harvest 40 quintals per acre without irrigation. His approach also provided ample fodder for his cattle.
With a cultivation cost of Rs 35,000 per acre, Hanumanth’s income is four times this amount, thanks to his high-yield crops. Agriculture officer Pratapgouda credits Hanumanth’s success to his combination of modern and traditional methods, noting the benefits of organic fertilizers in enhancing crop production with less water. Despite minimal rainfall, Hanumanth’s maize reaches an impressive height of 12 feet, harvested after 130 days and yielding substantial returns.
Hanumanth Meti’s story illustrates that significant agricultural success is possible without abundant water, costly seeds, or excessive chemicals.