For long, farmers of south Gujarat have equated cash crop cultivation with three main crops - sugarcane, mango and watermelon.
For long, farmers of south Gujarat have equated cash crop cultivation with three main crops - sugarcane, mango and watermelon. However, a farmer from Valsad district has gone against the trend - to cultivate palm seeds on his farm, and that too, without any specialised technical help. What's more, despite the markets still being at the developing stage, the produce is fetching a good price.
The trend-setter is 71-year old Balu Patel, a farmer of Rola village at Dungri in Valsad district. Patel has been cultivating palm seeds in his field since 2001, and has been having record production.
Patel says he came across the idea of palm seed farming after seeing successful palm farming in Andhra Pradesh. He adds that he was also majorly guided by the Horticulture Department of Gujarat.
"Palm seed cultivation is relatively cheaper than cultivation of other cash crops and fruits. Palm trees have a long life and they start yielding fruit from the very third year of plantation, with three bunches of palm seeds weighing 20 kg each after every 15 days. I have planted 150 palm trees over one hectare of my field, and am earning more than Rs1 lakh every month," says Patel.
"Palm seeds fetch a very good price in the markets due to their varied utility. Now, due to the presence of international companies like Godrej, they have become a profitable farming proposition. Palm seeds can be used as fuel for various machines and as cattle feed as well," adds Patel. He says that palm trees need no special care, and grow by themselves if watered properly.
Patel's success with his palm farming has earned him name and fame. He has addressed many seminars and conferences regarding his work. Recently, a ten-member delegation from Maharastra and MP visited Patel's farm to learn the techniques of palm farming. In future, Patel wants to start a training centre for farmers to teach them the techniques.
"There is lot to be learnt about palm farming and I want to share my experience with those who want to take it up. The profit ratio is very high with this crop, and farmers who have fertile lands should definitely give it a thought," Patel says.
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