Begusarai: Vijay Kumar, a farmer from the Chhaurahi block in Begusarai district, Bihar, has gained recognition in the state due to his modern farming. He started farming more than five decades ago and always tried to adopt modern techniques, bringing success. Currently, he has been earning around 20 lakh rupees per year. He said success in farming comes from a constant learning process and trying novel methods.
He used minimum digging of land instead of deep tillage. This used to save time as well as money; deep plowing can be a costly affair. Vijay advised the farmers’ community to switch from old methods to the horticulture sector because it is more profitable.
Vijay took an interest in growing fruits like bananas, guavas, amla (Indian gooseberry), and apples. Despite facing several challenges, such as the ruining of a few apple trees owing to lack of experience, he went to Himachal Pradesh and got training and is now growing a new variety of apples called Himachal-99.
Vijay uses a mix of 50% chemical fertilizers and 50% organic fertilizers. This balance increases the fertility of the soil and helps grow healthier crops. He has been planning to switch to fully organic farming in the future to further increase his income. Vijay uses drip irrigation for saving water, where it is delivered directly to the roots of plants. Drip irrigation has helped him save water and reduce the cost of labour.
At present, Vijay advises farmers to adopt new techniques and remain connected with experts. He is a perfect example for others to switch to the horticulture sector and grow fruits, especially apples, in Bihar. It is possible to do this and earn a huge amount of money. He is a role model for the others.
