Kumta: Agriculture Officer C M Patagar used to visit Khaire, a tiny village in Kumta taluk to convince farmers to go for improved farming methods and form self-help groups. But farmers always refused his advice.

Undeterred by their refusal, the officer once again visited the village when all farmers had gathered for constructing a field bund (Kattu). This time he was successful. The farmers agreed to try their hand at  modern agriculture methods by forming self-help groups.

This incident took place almost eight years ago at the village, situated near Mirjan in the taluk.

Today, farmers are growing 35-40 quintal of paddy per acre there. They are now preparing to harvest the bumper crop grown in 30 acre by 40 farmers in the village. They are mass harvesting the crop on April 20 and officials, progressive farmers will witness the harvest festival.

“Convincing the farmers was not an easy task then. They agreed to form a group and use the latest technologies only after having the first hand information about the benefits of the latest farming method.

Hybrid variety

As many as 40 framers came forward and formed the self-help group called ‘Shri Bete Jataga Raitha Shakti Group. They are helping each other in cultivation, growing and harvesting activities,” explained Patagar.

He said, earlier ‘Jaya’ variety paddy was grown by the farmers here. After convincing them they started growing hybrid variety ‘Uma, and ‘PAC-837.’ This year they have used 3 kg of seeds per acre. They also tried planting only one sapling per planting. They supplied 26 kg of urea and 30 kg potash per acre.

Speaking to media, farmer Marujutta Gouda, who has two acre of land said, he used to sow 60 to 80 kg of seeds to grow 10-12 quintal of paddy earlier. Today the situation had changed.

“We are growing two crops yearly now. We don’t have any control over rainy season crop, but we are getting good yield in summer season crop,” he said.