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Once rocky soil, now a fertile land for farming
Rainwater harvesting is advocated to conserve water. The scheme is successful wherever it is implemented sincerely and at other places it did not produce the desired result. However, some farmers of East Godavari district are practising agriculture in 50 acres digging the rainwater harvesting structures in a 3.5-acre plot. They also dug a tank in one and half acres.
Practising Palekar model of natural farming
Kakinada: Rainwater harvesting is advocated to conserve water. The scheme is successful wherever it is implemented sincerely and at other places it did not produce the desired result. However, some farmers of East Godavari district are practising agriculture in 50 acres digging the rainwater harvesting structures in a 3.5-acre plot. They also dug a tank in one and half acres.
They have set an example for others to emulate. In the rocky terrain, the farmers earlier ruled out cultivation even though the soil is red. However, some farmers with their collective efforts made all the difference.
The depth of the rainwater harvesting structure is 40 ft. Every drop of water that is incident in 50 acres should find its way either to the rainwater harvesting structure or to the tank. Earlier, only rain-fed irrigation was practised in the land. Previously, some farmers sold the soil to contractors. As a result, the land is punctuated with deep ditches.
However, with the untiring efforts of the four farmers the land became a good landscape with varieties of crops raised in it. The area was transformed into a good agriculture farm. Earlier, there were palm trees and wild growth of plants. Now, the land features oil palm, coconut, mango and horticultural trees and vegetable crops. Further, flower gardens are raised under poly house conditions.
Thanks to the strenuous efforts undertaken by farmers Gunnam Veerabhadra Rao and Gunnam Suresh in association with some other local farmers. They irrigate every plant with the help of sprinkler system and drip irrigation system. They have proved that agriculture is profitable.
They are also practising Palekar model of natural farming in the land. Therefore, they have raised a cow shed. The project is located at Surampalem and J Thimmapuram in Peddapuram and Gandepalli mandals. The cow shed has 50 cows. They raised oil palm applying vermin compost. The bankers have been coming forward to extend loans to the project.
Gunnam Veerabhadra Rao said that the tank dug with a depth of 40 ft also helps them to practice pisciculture. They released many fishlings into the tank and regularly feeding them. Gunnam Suresh says that he has plans to buy 50 buffaloes and set up a dairy farm here. At least 30 workers are gainfully employed in the farm.
