Category Archives: Green Products

Mysore’s green warrior

Heritage

Karnataka owes much of its position as one of the top-ranking horticultural states in the country to the initiatives taken by Tipu Sultan, who sent missions abroad to collect seeds of flowering plants, vegetables and fruits including the famed Ganjam fig and the Devanahalli pomelo, writes S Tahsin Ahmed.

TipuMPOs15oct2014

On December 10, 1985, when I accompanied the CBI team as the official witness in a raid conducted at Mysore during which a sword belonging to Tipu Sultan was seized, I visualised Tipu as a brave and valiant king who died fighting the British invaders. Later, I realised that Tipu Sultan was a much celebrated ruler in the history of South India not just for his military exploits, but also for his contributions in the fields of sericulture, rocketry, animal husbandary, social reforms, handicrafts, trade and commerce, etc. There is another major achievement of Tipu Sultan that has not been highlighted enough: his contribution to the field of horticulture.

In fact, Karnataka owes much of its position as one of the top ranking horticultural states in the country to the various initiatives taken by Tipu Sultan in his 18-year rule (1782-1799). Today, horticultural crops are raised on 18.99 lakh hectares of land in Karnataka, accounting for about 15.07 per cent of the total cultivable area.
What do historical records reveal?

In 1799, immediately after the defeat of Tipu Sultan, the British asked Francis Buchanan to survey South India which resulted in the publication of the historical work, ‘A journey from Madras through the Countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar (1807)’. This book gives an interesting account of horticultural fields which were called tota, as existing during Tipu’s regime. “In the ashta gramas, there are four kinds of tota or cultivated garden lands, tarkari tota or kitchen gardens; tayngana tota (read tengina) or coconut gardens; but many other kinds of fruit-trees are planted in them; yele tota or betel-leaf gardens; huvina tota or flower gardens.” Buchanan also lists 48 vegetables grown in the areas ruled by Tipu Sultan.

Francis Buchanan took notes at lectures at the Botanical Garden, Edinburg in 1780 (before he came to Mysore) which got misplaced. Through another traveller, it accidentally reached Srirangapatna and came to the possession of Tipu Sultan. Tipu got this manuscript bound in tooled leather and added it to his big library, a reflection of his interest in botany and passion for horticulture. His library included many books on management of fruit trees.

Tipu kept up a sustained campaign against feudal chiefs called palegars who usurped land belonging to farmers. Land seized from palegars was handed over to farmers, tenants and bonded labourers. Tipu, it seems, was one of the earliest champions of the land reforms movement. Farmers were encouraged to expand the area of horticultural cultivation. Waste lands were exempted from rent in the first year of cultivation which was followed by tax concessions in the succeeding years. Incidentally, area expansion is one of the major schemes of the National Horticultural Mission today.

Tipu had a huge army and military police, to whom he gave cultivable land in addition to regular pay. Low-level workers like nirgunties were also allotted land to boost cultivation. He is the only king in the history of Karnataka who did not grant a single jahgir. These anti-feudal reforms had a far-reaching impact on the growth of agriculture and horticulture.

Missions abroad

An 80-member mission headed by Mohammed Darwesh Khan was sent by Tipu to France. The mission reached Paris on July 16, 1788, and met the French emperor and handed over a memorandum given by Tipu.
Among other things, the memorandum demanded seeds of flowering plants, vegetables, European fruit plants and trees. The mission was successful in procuring spice plants and camphor seedlings from Molucca.

A huge trade mission was sent by Tipu Sultan to Turkey which met Sultan Hameed in Constantinopole on November 5, 1787. It carried large quantities of black pepper, cardamom, sandal wood etc and succeeded in identifying an overseas market for this produce.

The mission brought back seeds of many flowers, vegetables and fruits. The famous Ganjam variety of fig was brought from Turkey.

Tipu Sultan wrote letters to the darogha at Muscat and instructed him to buy saffron seeds and date palms. The darogha was also asked to obtain silk worms from Qishm island and send them to Srirangapatna alongwith a few men knowledgeable about sericulture.

Farmers were encouraged to cultivate mulberry in their lands. In several diplomatic and trade missions sent by Tipu Sultan to countries like Muscat, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Penang, export and import of horticultural produce was a major component.
Role of Thigalars

Tipu noticed that a class of people called Thigalars near Salem had expertise in cultivation of vegetables.

He encouraged them to migrate to Bangalore, Hoskote, Kolar, Devanahalli and Sira, which boosted the cultivation of vegetables in Karnataka. Other measures taken were to exempt farmers growing vegetable crops and cash crops like cashew, cardamom and cinnamon from payment of land revenue. The famous Devanahalli pomelo was also introduced by Tipu.

It was made mandatory for the village patels to plant avenue trees on either sides of the roads throughout his kingdom. But the interesting aspect here is that Tipu ordered planting of mango and tamarind trees among other trees which reveals that preference was given to useful trees over ornamental or just shade-giving trees.

Establishment of gardens

One wonders how Hyder Ali, father of Tipu Sultan, who was in the thick of military campaigns throughout his reign, found time to establish gardens. Hyder who had a taste for gardens (‘Char-bagh’ style), planned Lalbagh on 40 acres of land at Bangalore along the lines of Khan Bagh at Sira, established during the time of Dilawar Khan, the representative of the Moghul emperor in the South.

He imported plants form Delhi, Multan, Lahore and Arcot, apart from laying out a garden at Malvalli and another fruit garden at Srirangapatna, also called Lalbagh.
Tipu expanded Bangalore’s Lalbagh by acquiring more land. The garden was earlier known as cypress garden because the roads from the entrance to the garden and inside the garden were lined with cypress trees.

This is evident from a painting of this garden drawn on the spot by R H Colebrooke and published in 1793 at London. Another painting of the Lalbagh by James Hunter published in 1805 and showing many cypress trees is captioned ‘East view of Bangalore with the Cypress garden.’

Equally magnificent was the Lalbagh at Srirangapatna. The Gardens around the Gumbaz where both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan are buried were full of fruit trees, flowers and vegetables of every description. This Lalbagh is also believed to have served as a nursery for the kingdom. Fruits like apples, pears, guava and plantains were successfully grown here. Imagine apple trees in a place like Srirangapatna and that too in the 18th century! Also grown were betel nuts, coconuts, sandalwood, sugarcane, indigo, cotton, mulberry, cereals and pulses.

In the Third Mysore War (1792), the cypresses of Lalbagh at Srirangapatna were axed to provide firewood for British troops. After the war, Tipu restored much of the glory. But in the final war of 1799, British troops breached the fort wall and devastated Lalbagh. Nothing remains of this garden except a painting of the entrance to Lalbagh at Srirangapatna by James Hunter (1805).

The fruit orchard at Malavalli also no longer exists. Buchanan who visited this garden after Tipu’s death noticed 2,400 trees with mangoes and oranges in abundance. The garden surrounding the Daria Daulat Bagh at Srirangapatna was more of an ornamental garden, but very well maintained.

Tipu Sultan’s love for horticulture was so great that he linked this with dispensation of justice. For petty offences, convicts had to plant fast growing plants and for major offences, they had to plant trees like jamun, mango and coconut. In 1788, Tipu Sultan issued a circular to all amildars and in 1792 he passed a regulation that the fines of the farmers shall be commuted if the offender plants two trees, waters them and nurtures them till they reach a certain prescribed height.

Can we think of a better environmentalist among kings gone by, long before environment and climate change became fashionable slogans?

(The author is Additional Director of Horticulture (Administration), Lalbagh, Bangalore.)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by S. Tahsin Ahmed / July 04th, 2011

When a lensman’s passion takes the driver’s seat

Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.'s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu
Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.’s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu

A motor vehicle inspector’s commitment to wildlife photography

: His passion for photography almost cost him his life a decade ago when he was chased around by a herd of wild elephants in Thekkady. And that night in 2003, he stayed atop a tree to escape the wrath of the pachyderms.

For someone who took pictures with trembling hands and landed himself in trouble out of his ignorance about positioning, Shefiq B. has come a long way to grab the victor’s prize at the State-level wildlife photography conducted by the forest department.

A motor vehicle inspector by profession, Mr. Shefiq will receive the award from Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on Tuesday at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady.

Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.'s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu
Motor vehicle inspector Shefiq B.’s photograph of a leopard at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won a prize at the State-level wildlife photography competition. Photo: K.K. Mustafah / The Hindu

The picture of a leopard lying on a rock at the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary won him the prize.

“Initially, the animal was behind a rock and was not fully visible before it stepped on to the rock. From its stomach I could gauge that the animal had had its prey just then and would be resting there for a while,” he said.

Photography became his passion after he took a five-year break from his job as a vehicle inspector.

During this time, he took up a job in the Middle East which gave him the opportunity to travel to the wildlife sanctuaries of Kenya, a photographer’s delight.

So much was he consumed by the passion that he didn’t think twice before taking a loan for purchasing a professional worth Rs. 2.5 lakh.

Since rejoining duty at the Aluva Regional Transport Office last year, Shefiq puts in extra hours at work, so that he can go exploring nature in the company of his camera on weekends .

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by M.P. Praveen / Kochi – October 07th, 2014

Agri dept to train coconut farmers in Koz

Kozhikode  :

Agriculture department in association with Nalikera Karshaka Samithi will be organizing classes on how to make coconut farming financially viable for farmers. Classes on Neera production and other topics will be discussed by agriculture experts.

Apart from coconut farmers, persons engaging in other works related to coconut farming, copra production will also be attending the classes. Coconut tree climbers, toddy tappers, and those engage in producing value added products from coconut are expected to benefit from the training class.

The focus of the training programme will be to make farmers and others aware of the government schemes for coconut farmers, said Kollamkandi Vijayan, president of Nalikera Karshaka Samithi. The need for the use of modern technology for improving cultivation will also be discussed, he added.

Those interested to attend the sessions can register their names by dialling 9048627810 or 9745148451 said, Mujeeb Komath district secretary of the Samithi. The programme will be held at Perambra on Monday, he added.

The focus of the training programme is to make farmers aware of the government schemes for them.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kozhikode / TNN / October 10th, 2014

Special cover on `Pillalamarri’

The 700-year-old banyan tree, Pillalamarri, which will appear on a special cover being brought out by the Postal Department.
The 700-year-old banyan tree, Pillalamarri, which will appear on a special cover being brought out by the Postal Department.

Hyderabad :

Pillalamarri, the famed 700-year-old banyan tree near Mahabubnagar, will appear on a special cover being brought out by the Department of Posts.

The magnificent tree with its branches stretching over an area of three acres is acclaimed as a “living legend” of the district. Over the years, the heritage symbol, located in the fields 4 km from Mahabubnagar town, attracted tourists from far and near. From a distance, it presents the look of a small hillock covered with thick foliage. As one draws closer, the majestic tree stands out like a giant umbrella, which can shelter upto 1,000 persons. There is a tomb of a Muslim saint underneath the tree.

On its part, the Postal Department has resolved to do its bit to commemorate the tree by releasing a special cover during a philatelic exhibition at Mahabubnagar on August 29 and 30. The special cover will be released by T.S.Govindarajan, Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh Circle.

A special video show for children on “stamp collection-an educative hobby”, philately workshop, essay and quiz competitions for students will be the highlights of the two-day exhibition. As an on-going effort to popularise stamp collection, the facility of philately deposit account is provided at all head post offices through which children can get newly released stamps with an initial deposit of Rs 200.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu, Online edition / Home> Southern States – Andhra Pradesh / by The Hindu Special Correspondent / Thursday – August 14th, 2003

ASI revives three water bodies near Qutub Minar

The 13th Century Gandhak ki Baoli. — PHOTOS: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The 13th Century Gandhak ki Baoli. — PHOTOS: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has revived three water bodies — Rajon ki Baoli, Gandhak ki Baoli, and Hauz-i-Shamsi or Shamsi talab — inside the Qutub premises.

All these baolis, except Shamsi talab, were nearly dry till recently. But for the last couple of months, the water level in these baolis has increased despite negligible rain this season.

“The more the level of water went down in Delhi, the water level in these baolis increased,” said an ASI representative, reasoning constant cleaning of these baolis, which till sometime ago were filled with mud and filth thrown by visitors and people living close by.

While water conservationists opined that the water level increased due to sealing of several borewells in the area, ASI representative argued that the same happened after the cleaning of the choked openings in the baolis, something even the locals agree with.

Ghulam Mohammad, an 80-year-old old resident of Mehrauli village, said: “Sumant Dogra of the ASI used to come here even when the temperature was nearly 49 degrees Celsius and get the baolis cleaned every day for past many months. Soon after the cleaning, we saw water gushing up despite the poor monsoon this year.”

A visit to all the baolis, however, reveals the careless attitude people have towards them.

The 13th Century Gandhak ki Baoli. — PHOTOS: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The 13th Century Gandhak ki Baoli. — PHOTOS: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

The Rajon ki Baoli, which dates back to the 15 Century, “was chocked with 20 feet of filth — meaning two storeys of the baoli, leaving only the third or the last storey was visible. We got it cleared. It took us six months. Now the water level has come up to 20 feet. We had to stop intermittently due to lack of funds. We completed the cleaning, which the ASI started in 2004-05, in 2014.”

The baoli is filled with stagnant water covered with algae. One can reach it by climbing down nearly 60 stairs. The ASI official adds: “Visitors throw wrappers, packets and even spit in it. If we don’t clean it every day, the filth will reach 20 feet within a week.”

Gandak ki Baoli is located about 200 meters from this one. The water there “started rising two-three years ago. It now has about 40 feet of water,” he added.

Built in the 13 Century, the water in this baoli, as the name suggests, is mixed with Sulphur, which supposedly has medicinal qualities. Due to this, the locals bathe and wash their clothes in it.

When the reporter visited the spot, a man who has just finished washing his clothes was then seen urinating in the baoli, as a guard looked on helplessly. The ASI official, who comes here daily for inspection, said: “The locals use the baolis as their personal property. Vagabonds roam this area and it turns dangerous by the evening. If we ask them not to dirty the baoli, they take out knives in no time. Even the police is scared of them.”

The third water body or the Shamsi talab, is located in the middle of the Mehrauli market, most of which is unauthorised. The talab was once spread over a huge area, with a tomb in the centre. As the talab started shrinking due to lack of water, the tomb, which is still visible, has been relegated to a side. Water beyond it has dried up already. But “it now has 15 to 20 feet water,” the official adds.

The area around this talab remains unspoilt, filled with the chirps of thousands of birds. A reminder of what the baolis may have looked like in the past.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Delhi / by Rana Siddiqui Zaman / New Delhi – October 0th, 2014

Najeeb Jung performs kar sewa, polishes shoes at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung at the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Photo: PTI)
Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung at the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Photo: PTI)

Taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat mission forward, Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on Thursday morning visited the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and performed kar sewa.

The Lt Governor, who was accompanied by his wife Ameena, polished shoes of devotees as part of the kar sewa at the gurudwara in the heart of the capital.

Kar sewa, which translates as a form of selfless service, is a Sikh ritual.

“A clean India was the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and government has done a symbolic gesture by starting the drive today to make it come true. The cleanliness drive in Delhi is a five-year mission and will go on till 2019,” Jung said.

“I request the government, municipal bodies, hospitals, and the people to make combined efforts to keep Delhi clean. Let cleanliness become a habit,” the Lt governor said.

Describing polishing shoes as a “humbling experience”, Jung said he wanted to visit the gurudwara since a long time and this is the reason he chose it to launch the campaign.

Jung was also given a tour of the temple’s heritage museum where he interacted with the staff.

“My message to public is that India is a secular country and that I feel very happy coming to this place of worship,” he said.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> India / New Delhi –  October 02nd, 2014

Moolika Dasara series-3

Eat Mango – Keep your Heart Healthy

by Dr. Sathyanarayana Bhat , Principal, Government Ayurveda Medical College, Mysore

It is Dasara season. How can we remember Mango now? Don’t get surprised. I have seen at Cairns, Australia, a tree full of ripen mangoes during Dasara. Incidentally, Southern hemisphere mango trees yield fruits now. Further more, do you know a mango variety called dusseri!

Let us know more about cardio-protective effects of this divine fruit. Mangifera indica, the indigenous fruit of India, was found wild at Himalayas. Now, it is cultivated world over. In the list of heart tonic medicinal plants, mango occupies first place.

The ripen fruits are not only attractive to look but also good to eat. Amrapali, is a Buddhist site, where mango cultivation was prominent. Kalidasa describes mango flowering and fruiting in his many works. Moghul King Akbar planted over one lakh mango saplings at Lakhibagh, Dhrabanga, North Bihar. Mavalli at Bangalore was mango grove of Hyder Ali times. Even Mysore Wadiyar Dynasty has planted mango trees during Nalvadi Krishnaraja, in pre Independence era.

Every part of this tree is medicinal. Flowers, young leaf, tender, unripe and ripen fruit is used in different forms both for culinary and medicinal uses. Kernel is best in bleeding disorders and diarrhoea. Many diabetics are hesitant in using mango. Ayurveda texts encourage use of mango tree bark and seed kernel to reduce sugar levels in Diabetes. Mangiferin, an active ingredient in mango leaf is a very effective antiviral drug. Particularly it is very effective against herpes, both locally and orally. Regular use of the ripe mango can keep away chronic constipation, both in diabetic as well as cardiac patients.

Anti oxidant properties of mango is evident. Therefore regular use of the fruit can keep you and your heart young.

[Dr. Sathyanarayana Bhat can be contacted on Ph:0821-2444701 or Mob:91-09448081005 or email:sathyanarayana.bhat@gmail.com]

NOTE: Moolika Dasara Expo is being held at Chandravana, a garden of medicinal plants maintained by Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Mysore, near Kukkarahalli Lake on Bogadi Road. It will be open to public till Sept. 30 between 9 am and 6.30 pm.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles  / Saturday  , September 27th,  2014

Country’s First Electric Bus Launched in Bangalore

BMTC launched an electric bus at Shantinagar Bus Station on Thursday; Right: A view of the interiors | Sudhakara Jain
BMTC launched an electric bus at Shantinagar Bus Station on Thursday; Right: A view of the interiors | Sudhakara Jain

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) introduced the country’s first electric zero-emission bus in the city on Thursday.

Although the bus has been in Bangalore for over a month now, it was officially launched by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy after getting the required permissions from the Transport Department.

The bus will run on a trial basis for the next three months. During this time, it will operate along various routes, beginning with one from Majestic to Kadugodi that is likely to cost `80.

Plans are also afoot to run the bus along the airport routes. The charging point for the bus is at the Volvo depot at Majestic.

“We will study whether the bus is economical and if it can function efficiently in the city. When the battery is fully charged (six hours), the bus can run for about 250 km, which is ideal for BMTC. However, this needs to be tested. We also need to see how it fares on various roads in the city and which routes are best suited to operate the bus,” said BMTC managing director Anjum Parvez.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that though the bus is expensive, it is likely to be a good deal as a long-term investment.

“The bus costs about `2.7 crore and this is expensive. But this is one bus in the entire country. Once the demand for the bus goes up and more people express interest in purchasing it, the rates are likely to come down. Moreover, the research and development wings of various bus manufacturers are working on this and it is some only time before the initial cost of the bus is reduced,” he said.

When asked if the state government would be willing to share the cost or offer subsidies, Reddy said, “We will consider various options if the bus is found to be suitable for the city. At present, it is on a three-month trial and following this, a decision will be taken on whether or not to purchase the bus,” he said. He added that what was important was that pollution levels would be brought down by using electric buses, hybrid or CNG-operated buses. The bus, manufactured by Build Your Dreams (BYD), was brought to India by Utopia Pvt Ltd. At least 5,000 such buses are operational in countries such as the United States, Netherlands, Switzerland and some European countries.

GOING GREEN

Zero emission

No oil required

Costs Rs 2.7 crore (Volvo Rs 88 lakh)

Fare from Majestic to Kadugodi – Rs 80

Runs for 250 km with 6 hours of charging

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service- Bangalore / February 28th, 2014

Solar-powered, self-cleaning eToilet for schools unveiled

The eToilet has an automatic flush, which works before and after use, sensor controlled water usage and eliminates the need for manual cleaners in schools. / The Hindu
The eToilet has an automatic flush, which works before and after use, sensor controlled water usage and eliminates the need for manual cleaners in schools. / The Hindu

Eram Scientific, manufacturers of the country’s first eToilet, on Tuesday unveiled the world’s cheapest unmanned, self-cleaning eToilet with inbuilt solar panel and metallic platform for schools.

“This is our contribution to the nation and comes as a response to the “Clean India Campaign” announced by the Central Government. It perfectly matches with the “Make in India” campaign as well,” said Siddeek Ahmed, chairman of Thiruvananthapuram-based Eram Group.

Built of stainless steel base, mild steel super structure and occupying 25 sq.ft space, the eToilet comes with a price tag of Rs.99,999 ex-factory, which is inclusive of insurance charges and one-year warranty.

It has got an inbuilt solar panel, which eliminates the need for electricity connection while the metal platform avoids civil construction too.

It has an automatic flush, which works before and after use, automatic floor wash, sensor controlled water usage and eliminates the need for manual cleaners in schools.

“The present problems in sanitations at schools are known to be not because of the dearth of toilets. The lack of maintenance and requirement for manual cleaning has made them dysfunctional. We are out to address that gap and that is why we are now launching this comprehensive solution for schools,” said K. Anvar Sadath, CEO.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / IANS / Thiruvananthapuram – September 30th, 2014

Daughter of the soil

ZainabHussainMPOs23sept2014

by  Mudar Patherya

From knowing zilch about crops, Zainab Husain is now one of Jalgaon and Barwani’s most prosperous farmers.

To find a Dawoodi Bohra agriculturist in the interiors of Madhya Pradesh is not everyday. But that’s not the only reason 33-year-old Zainab Husain merits a story. One of Barwani district’s most prosperous farmers today, Husain inherited her father, Sabir Husain’s 52-acre farm and pesticide and fertiliser business more as liability.

His sudden demise when she was 27, left her, his only child, in charge of the land that yielded cotton, chillies, wheat and bananas. Running the agro-products business was the true challenge, Husain realised, when she discovered that farmers owed her late father Rs 90 lakh.

To sell out, and get her married is the most practical solution, suggested her father’s family. Husain, a post-graduate in chemical science, hadn’t dirtied her hands in the fields.

Neither had she dabbled in business or chased debtors. Based in Jalgaon, a seven-hour drive from Mumbai, Husain had moved there as a child to live with her grandparents since the industrialised city offered the bright student better schooling prospects.

The farm was a good 210 kms from her home, and the family wasn’t moneyed (“We took a Rs 10,000 loan from the jamaat so that we could treat my father in Mumbai,” she says). How would she manage the farm via remote control or dare to sit months at the Barwani trading store? Just when the sale looked most feasible, a contrarian spoke up. Husain herself.

The extended family threw a fit, and just like it sometimes happens, an unlikely game-changer appeared on the scene. It was the goodwill her father had garnered over the years.

“When farmers or farm hands were in trouble,” says Husain, “he’d quietly help them with agrochemical supplies against long credit which they’d repay during the following harvest.

If they needed health assistance, my father would fund the treatment.” When Husain turned up at her store to ferret the list of debtors, she found unlikely allies. “They accompanied me from home to home, farm to farm, requesting the debtors to pay up.”

Sixty per cent of the outstanding was recovered; the family could breathe again. The early months were gruelling — negotiating the eight-hour Jalgaon-Barwani circuit while changing four bus routes; spending three months on the trot in unknown territory; communicating with 50 farm hands to enhance her insight into costing, irrigation potential and cropping patterns, and imploring the general manager of a lending bank in Mumbai to defer instalments. For someone who has been a farmer six years, Husain has a fair report.

Her cotton yields have trebled to 25 quintals per acre, she has more than doubled farm revenues, got into a positive capex cycle with tractor purchase and has plans to set up a back-ended nursery. Success gave her enough confidence to dabble in construction, building bungalows and apartments in Jalgaon. “The construction business provided us advances and perennial revenues, which we could use to fund the seasonal business of agriculture,” she says.

Over the last year, she has ploughed surplus funds into organic manure manufacture (100 tonnes per month, which has proved profitable from year one), forayed into the business of writing education support software, and is widening the construction portfolio to commercial properties.

And, she won’t stop learning. The soft-spoken lady, who could be a small time case study, is pursuing a PhD in agricultural extension.

source: http://www.punemirror.com / Pune Mirror / Home> Others>Sunday Read / May 25th, 2014