Tamil Nadu farmer fetches huge income through precision farming

Chennai: Tamil Nadu farmer V. Samikannu spent above 42 years in farming, belonging to a family of farmers. In the beginning, he used to grow vegetables and tuber crops but struggled to get a sufficient profit amid limited market access. He was not satisfied with the farming profession and wanted to get success. Innovative techniques always ran through his mind for how to improve growth and earn more money.

His fortune changed in 2003, when he adopted precision farming techniques introduced by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). Precision farming helps farmers use technology and scientific methods to improve production and resource management.
Samikannu did not remain behind and learned advanced methods like hybrid crops, need-based fertilizers, drip irrigation, and consumer-focused production. With the use of such techniques, he boosted his productivity and reduced costs as well.

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Under the guidance of TNAU and sound knowledge of marketing, Samikannu’s annual income boosted from a few thousand to Rs 5 lakh. He now cultivates crops on 4.6 acres of land, including tomatoes, brinjal, watermelon, muskmelon, drumstick, tapioca, and banana.
Precision farming has resulted in remarkable yields: Banana (Kadali variety): 12 tonnes/acre. Drumstick (PKM1, PAVM varieties): 16 tonnes/acre. Tapioca (MVD1 variety): 23 tonnes/acre. Muskmelon: 18 tonnes/acr. Tomatoes (Hybrid 618 variety): 58 tonnes/acre.

Samikannu received several awards for his remarkable success in the horticulture sector. He bagged the MFOI award, District Millionaire Farmer, in 2023. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) handed him a Rs 5 lakh cash award for his innovation techniques. Currently, he is the role model for others, especially for the locals.