Despite the fact that India is fast transitioning from a developing to a developed country, many people believe that a big portion of India's population, which was formerly affiliated with agriculture is now moving away from it. But it is not completely true.
This story pertains to the state of Meghalaya in North East India. Today, we'll introduce you to a farmer who is now growing black pepper. He also earns lakhs through the cultivation of black pepper. He was also awarded Padma Shri for thinking beyond the box when it came to farming.
Before we introduce you to this farmer, it's worth noting that the state of Meghalaya is conducting a slew of innovative agricultural experiments; It is a predominantly agricultural state. Herbs and spices are grown by majority of the farmers in this state. Also, it receives excellent monsoon.
This farmer's name is Nanado B. Marak, and he lives in Meghalaya. His current age is 61 years & cultivates Black Pepper on a five-acre land. The unique aspect is that he only uses organic manure in his farming.
Nanado‘s Journey: Began Farming on Inherited Land
Nanado B. Marak, 61, from West Meghalaya's Garo Hills acquired five acres of property from his in-laws. On this land, he has planted black pepper. He claims that in the beginning, he grew a black pepper variety known as 'Kari Munda' on his farm. This is a medium-sized variety.
Started with Rs.10000 Investment
Nanado claims that he began growing black pepper with just ten thousand rupees and now earns lakhs.
He had made the decision to engage in organic farming, so that, pesticide-free produce can reach people's plates and their health is never jeopardized. As a result, his black pepper is in high demand both domestically and internationally.
Environmental Significance
In Meghalaya, where Nanado practices agriculture, dense forests are present. When he attempted to practice agriculture, the forests stood in his way. He refused to chop down the forest's trees because it harms the environment severely. As a result, he devised a strategy to farm in such a manner that trees could be spared and agriculture could be increased with the assistance of the State Agriculture and Horticulture Department in which he is successful even today.
Assist other farmers as well
Knowing these facts about Nanado, you must conclude that he is not a typical farmer. Along with technology, he continues to seek government assistance in whatever way he can. But the good news is that he now assists all of his district's small farmers in farming. As a result, additional farmers are switching to organic farming which is a more positive indicator.
Has also received the Padma Shri award
The Padma Shri is one of India's highest honors one can receive. The Government of India has awarded Joe Nanado Marak (Nanadro B Marak). This honor was bestowed upon him on the occasion of the country's 72nd Republic Day. His commitment to organic farming was also lauded by the government. He has been a source of encouragement for other farmers as a result of this honor. Let us tell you that in the year 2019, Nanado B. Marak made over 19 lakhs from the sale of black pepper planted in his land.
How to do pepper cultivation
According to Nanado B. Marak, keeping a distance of around 8 feet between each pepper tree is critical. Also, when the seeds are taken from the pepper plant, they must be dried and removed with considerable caution. Black pepper seeds are extracted by immersing them in water for a period of time and then drying them. It has the effect of enhancing the color of black pepper.
Which Fertilizer to Use?
Fertilizer is used to provide energy to plants. As a result, higher-quality manure should constantly be added to the plant. For each pepper plant, 10 b 20 kg of manure is necessary. Cow dung or vermi compost manure can be utilized.
Machine-cracked black pepper beans
The machine is now the finest alternative for harvesting pepper pods. The machine has the ability to break the beans more quickly and effectively. For your knowledge, the beans retain 70% of their moisture content when they are first harvested. After that, it is dried and removed. It's probable that black pepper will deteriorate fast if it isn't dried. As a result, it's critical to properly dry it.
