Dhirendrakumar Bhanubhai Desai, a 51-year-old farmer from Panetha village in Jhagadiya Taluka, Bharuch District, Gujarat, is recognized for his agricultural contributions and innovative practices. With 34 years of hands-on farming experience, he is a generational farmer who began his agricultural journey after completing his studies in 1991. While his family's livelihood had long relied on traditional farming methods, which offered modest financial returns, Dhirendrakumar was determined to bring about change.
By embracing modern farming practices and adopting cutting-edge technology, he not only transformed his own farming operations but also inspired and assisted fellow farmers in the region.
Early Beginnings and Shift to Innovation
Dhirendrakumar began his farming journey with bananas and sugarcane using traditional farming. The challenges ranged from financial stress to the inadequacy of farming infrastructure. His turning point came when he was on an agricultural tour.
He learned about drip irrigation, tissue culture bananas, and Integrated Bio-Nutrient Management (IBNM) for bananas. Inspired by the motto ‘More Crop per Drop,’ Dhirendrakumar adopted a continuous cropping pattern that significantly increased productivity and reduced costs.
Achievements in Banana Cultivation
Dhirendrakumar integrated innovative techniques such as drip irrigation, plant tissue culture, green manuring, and bio-composting to successfully fetch bananas three crops in 27 months from one planting. He is growing the G9 Variety of Banana. So, it emerged as a nation's benchmark.
Increased productivity was experienced by his doubled productivity; a yield increased by 15 MT per acre has reached up to 35 MT per acre by his innovation technique. His farm stood as the pioneering farm in using drone technology with disease management for their crops. With this, even more efficiency can be experienced within the boundaries.
Achievements and Contributions
Dhirendrakumar's innovations in banana farming have led to remarkable outcomes. His adoption of tissue culture technology and drip irrigation resulted in a significant increase in yield, reaching up to 35 tons per acre. He is doing farming on 40 acres of land. His pioneering use of drone technology for pesticide spraying in banana plantations is an excellent example of his commitment to modernizing agriculture.
Dhirendrakumar has played a pivotal role in uplifting the farming community which is beyond his personal success. He established a Cooperative Society for banana growers, facilitating collective marketing and increasing farmers' incomes. His efforts have motivated over 1,000 farmers across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to adopt hi-tech banana cultivation methods.
Expansion and Diversification of Agribusiness
In addition to bananas, Desai has planted 1200 plants of the Brazilian variety of sweet orange called Natal. He is using tissue culture technology. His forward-thinking approach led to the establishment of a banana chip manufacturing unit in his village. He has created local employment opportunities and further diversified his agricultural journey.
Financial Success and Recognition
Desai's innovative practices have yielded significant financial success, with an annual profit of approximately 50-60 lakhs. Dhirendrakumar's dedication and innovations have earned him over 30 prestigious awards, including:
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IARI Innovative Farmer Fellow Award (2021)
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Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Purashkar (2020)
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Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Purashkar for Zone 8 (2017)
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IARI Innovative Farmer Award (2019)
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Best ATMA Farmer Award (2019) by the Government of Gujarat
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Sardar Patel Krishi Sanshodhan Purashkar (2017) by the Government of Gujarat
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Sardar Patel Water Resources Award
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MFOI 2024 National Award
His achievements have been featured in national and international media, including a documentary on DD Kisan and a BBC News Gujarati feature, showcasing his best practices in agriculture.
Vision for the Future
Dhirendrakumar is committed to advancing sustainability and innovation in agriculture. His goals include encouraging environmental care and broadening the use of Modern farming methods. He wants to keep encouraging farmers to use new technologies so that agriculture may continue to be profitable and sustainable.
Dhirendrakumar Bhanubhai Desai has demonstrated the potential of agricultural innovation, boosting his income and encouraging other farmers to adopt technology and new practices, particularly in banana farming.
