48-year Jai Shankar Kumar is a progressive and innovative farmer from Village – Tetari, Block- Dandari, Begusarai, Bihar. He is a postgraduate in chemistry.
Earlier, Kumar used to grow conventional crops such as maize, wheat, rice as well as coarse grains, but the low monetary returns compelled his family to search for options for better returns.
The farmer attended many pieces of training/ awareness programmes and interacted with the scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Begusarai as to how to improve his livelihood. Then he came to know about Integrated Farming System and was very much convinced by it. He integrated with the technical backstopping of KVK on horticulture, animal husbandry, fishery, vermicompost, birds rearing, and agronomical crops under the Integrated Farming System.
He set up a fish pond over an area of about 0.5 ha and started doing pearl farming in the fresh water. Looking at his interest and dedication in vermicompost production, the Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar gave him financial assistance worth Rs. 25 Lakh for large-scale vermicompost production. Kumar is currently producing over 3000 Metric tons of vermicompost per year.
In addition, the Department of Horticulture supported him with the poly house and other inputs for off-season vegetable cultivation as well as raising of seedlings for early supply in the market. KVK, Begusarai helped him technically in all his endeavours. The scientists of KVK gave timely suggestions for improvement and up-gradation of his Integrated Farming System model.
His annual family income which was hovering around Rs. 27000 per month or 3.24 lakh per year has now improved significantly with the integration of pearl farming, fishery, vermicompost, horticulture, and birds, to over Rs.1 lakh per month or 12.96 lakh per year.
KVK of Begusarai is also using his services as a Mentor Trainer for the rural youth of the district. His farm is instrumental in facilitating exposure visits to farmers as a “role model” but Kumar believes that “Dedication makes farmer distinct from others”.
What is an Integrated farming system?
In an integrated farming system, agriculture can be combined with livestock. Fish and poultry etc. are maintained at the same place to generate income throughout the year and also get additional revenue.
Note – You can contact the farmer @ 9931948739
Source - KVK Begusarai
