00:00In drought-hit bead, Maharashtra, a differently-abled farmer is rewriting the rules of agriculture.
00:15With support from his family and smart farming techniques, Shashikant Ganesh Ingole has turned his 666 lemon trees into a gold mine,
00:26owning over Rs. 30 lakh annually with expectations of Rs. 40 lakh this year.
00:34Shashikant began farming 6 years ago and invested just Rs. 5.5 lakh.
00:40Today, even as some farmers give up in despair, he is proving that success in agriculture is possible with strategy, not just sweat.
00:50I started growing lemons on this land 6 years ago.
00:56I have earned Rs. 30 lakh last year and in 2023 I earned Rs. 34.5 lakh.
01:04When all 1200 trees will come up, I am expecting an income of Rs. 40 lakh.
01:11I have invested Rs. 5.5 lakh and sprayed pesticides to ensure proper yield.
01:17I will appeal other farmers to first study things and then implement them so that they can be successful.
01:27By timely urea application and shifting away from chemical fertilizers, he has boosted summer yields using intelligence over intensity.
01:37He applies urea precisely when lemon flowers bloom in January and February and again in June and July to optimize off-season yields.
01:47Some farmers say that farming is not giving them returns. Some even take the extreme step. Instead of that, they should use different techniques.
01:57If we farm according to market and climate, then we will be successful.
02:02As Shashikant says, if we farm according to the market and climate, we will be successful.
02:08Some farmers say, farming doesn't give returns. Instead of taking extreme steps, we must use different techniques and think ahead.
02:17Supported by schemes like the Bhau Saib Fankar Fruit Garden Scheme and the Employment Guarantee Programme,
02:23his 5 hectare orchard is now a model for innovation and resilience.
02:28Local agricultural officials too are taking pride in his achievements.
02:33As the officer Vikas Sonvatikar says, we guide and encourage farmers through government schemes.
02:39But the real hard work was done by Shashikant. He is an inspiration.
02:48Agriculture Department is providing incentives for farming under the leadership of top agriculture officials of the district.
02:58I guide the farmers and encourage them.
03:02A farmer took inspiration and successfully cultivated a lemon garden.
03:09I have a small share in his success.
03:12But the hard work has been done by the concerned farmer.
03:16I will tell other farmers to take inspiration from Shashikant.
03:19Today his orchard not only thrives near a ready market, but also draws other farmers eager to learn.
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