Quits govt job preparations and switch to vegetable farming:Started with 6 acres, now farms 130 acres; MP farmer now earns ₹1 crore annually

A person who couldn’t get a government job started farming. Before that, he also worked as a helper on a bus. Started with 6 acres. Now he earns one crore rupees annually by growing vegetables in 130 acres. He supplies to 10 states across the country. He has also employed people. Dainik Bhaskar’s Smart Farmer series features the story of farmer Santosh Bhayal from Nagalwadi village in Barwani district. Going beyond his father’s traditional farming, he leased land and grew vegetables. Santosh grows vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, gherkins, bitter gourd, and chili. Let’s know the complete story in the farmer’s own words… Prepared for government job after graduation
40-year-old farmer Santosh says that he completed his BA education. To manage expenses, he also worked as a bus helper in Barwani during college studies in 2004. Also distributed newspapers in Khargone. After studying, I prepared for a government job but did not succeed. At home, father used to cultivate cotton and chili on 6 acres. At that time, cotton was considered gold. In 2007, I also started helping them with farming. Planted cotton in four acres and chili and tomatoes in one acre each. Right from the start, tomatoes and chilies yielded more profit than cotton. When father didn’t agree, started in partnership
Santosh decided to grow vegetables. He says that after profits in tomato farming, convincing his father to grow vegetables was a challenge. However, he didn’t agree. Then in 2009, he planted the same crop again. At that time, the cost was around 40 to 50 thousand rupees. However, tomatoes planted in one acre yielded a net profit of more than 2 lakh rupees. Even cotton planted on 4 acres didn’t give that much profit. In 2010, started vegetable farming in partnership on 10 acres. Planted Syngenta Hybrid Abhinav tomatoes. After deducting expenses, one earned a profit of one lakh rupees per acre. At that time, only drip technology was used. Land taken on lease, farming with drip-mulching technique
Santosh says that in 2015, after taking advice from big farmers in the area, he started farming with drip and mulching paper. Increased the area, took 40 acres of land on lease at Rs 20,000 annually. Gradually, in 2018-19, this area expanded to 130 acres. The family owns only 25 acres of land. They are farming on the remaining land taken on lease at Rs 30,000 per acre. Profit from Ginger, Chili, Tomato Farming
Santosh explains that currently, ginger, chili, bitter gourd, cucumber, and tomato farming is being done on 130 acres of land. In May-June, they plant cucumber, bitter gourd, chili, and ginger. The crop continues till September-October. Ginger crop runs longer. In September-October, they plant tomatoes again, which they harvest until April. More than 50 tons of chili sent to Rajasthan
Santosh said that this year he planted cucumber in 50 acres and chili (Kalash 1355) in 20 acres. Additionally, ginger is planted on 10 acres. Banana is planted in 25 to 30 acres. Tomatoes are planted in the remaining land. The average chili production was 112 tons per acre. In the beginning, more than 50 tons of produce were sent to Rajasthan in two harvests. Growing 1355 varieties of chili using drip mulching technique
Santosh says that farming with drip mulching, along with bamboo support and wire trellis gives good benefits. Drip irrigation requires one hour of water daily. Less water is needed when it rains. The 1355 variety of chili plants has less impact of the virus. However, it faces infestation of thrips, mites, and caterpillars. Pesticide spraying is necessary to protect against these three things. Santosh says that initially chili fetched a price of 50 to 55 rupees per kg. After that, the current price is 30 to 35 rupees. The final price will be around 20 to 25 rupees. The 1355 variety of chili is highly preferred in Rajasthan. Profit of Rs 1.5 lakh per ton of chili
Santosh says that more than 112 tons of production were obtained from the chili crop. The profit from chili has been approximately Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh per ton. The production is 16 to 17 tons per acre. The cucumber crop yields a profit of one lakh rupees per acre. Currently, after the chili crop is finished, the tomato crop has been planted in about 70 acres. Production has started in some fields. Harvesting will begin at the end of November. After this, tomato production will continue for about 4 to 5 months. Annual profit of one crore
Santosh says that vegetable farming on 130 acres of leased land costs lakhs. I pay 25 lakh rupees annually for land lease (rent). Similarly, labor costs amount to 25 lakh annually. After deducting total costs from the crop, the net annual profit is around one crore. Santosh says that 120 laborers work daily at our place, of which 30 laborers are on a monthly salary. The remaining workers have to be paid daily wages of 250 rupees per day. Santosh says that this year’s unseasonal rain will affect tomato crop production. Currently, tomatoes have flowers, but they have fallen off due to rain, which will result in lower production. Learn modern techniques by going to other states
Santosh says that farmers from nearby areas also come to see vegetable farming. They gather information about farming. I also visit different states of the country to see new varieties of farming. I learn farming techniques from the farmers there, so that I can also farm with different techniques in my area.