Kerala's young farmer gets success in small onion cultivation

ALAPPUZHA:

Kanjikuzhy farmers

are role models in India for producing large quantities of different styles of organic and tasty vegetables from a soil that is dry and unfit for farming.


34-year-old Sujith, a young farmer, who left his job and got into the shoes of an organic farmer in this sleepy village, has added one more feather to

Kanjikuzhy

by cultivating large quantities of small onion.

It is the first time a farmer in this village that is close to

Arabian Sea

, is doing small onion cultivation, which is mainly cultivated in states like Tamil Nadu .

Small onion cultivation

of Sujith Swaminikarthil here has become a success and his

onion cultivation

is also viral on social media. In order to spread onion farming in the entire state, Sujith has also kicked off onion challenge. Sujith is giving half kg onion free of cost for cultivation to at least 100 interested persons from various parts of the state as part of the challenge.

"Though I was born and brought up in Kanjikuzhy, the cradle of organic vegetables, I first time did office jobs and other business after securing a degree in hotel management. Finally, I decided to wear the dress of an organic farmer in 2014. Initially, there were many doubts in my minds like would it become a success or not. But seeing the splendid crops of my first cultivation, I found all my doubts were wrong. My experience has also proved to me one thing- if we have a mind for hardwork and face any challenges that come in front of our way, we will definitely catch our dreams. I also bagged the state government’s award for best young organic farmer in Kerala and now I am doing different types of organic cultivation in vast areas. My organic farming is helping me to earn at least Rs 50,000 per month and I also get respect and popularity in our society because I am a farmer now,” said Sujith.

"Onion cultivation was a challenge for me first, especially the land in my place is normally not fit for cultivation. Hard work and support of my family and friends have paved the way for the success of my onion cultivation. I am doing onion cultivation in over 2.5 acres in the first phase and the harvesting is also on. When I sowed 30 kg onion seeds collected from here in half acre, I got 500 kg onion. I am selling onion with its leaves and the price for one kg is Rs 60. The harvesting of onion can be done in 55 to 70 days after sowing the seeds and the cultivation of onion is very profitable for me,” said Sujith.