Spreading organic crops is his passion

Aswaraopeta (Khammam): Supplying high-yielding variety saplings of different vegetables to farmers at an affordable price of Rs 1 is his aim. The sexagenarian organic nurseryman, Sankuratri Venkataratnam has rendered valuable services to the farming community in this region by planting and raising saplings in the Sankuratri Bio Veg Nursery which yielded high output.

• Organic nursery produces 25 lakh saplings a year
• High yielding variety saplings being supplied to farmers at cheap rates

Brinjal, chilli, tomato, capsicum, cabbage, cauliflower, drumstick, papaya, ivy gourd, marigold and other saplings are there in his nursery which produces 25 lakh saplings of different vegetable species a year, supplies them to agricultural research institutes in Telangana State and farmers in Khammam and neighbouring East and West Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh.

Employing traditional farming practices, using organic manure and cow urine are his remedies for the saplings. Venkataratnam, without any University degree in organic farming, has learnt all the techniques required to produce healthy saplings of different plant species through sheer experience. His organic farming practices have won the accolades of agricultural scientists.

Speaking to The Hans India on Friday, he said, "Selection of quality seed is vital to raise a healthy sapling in the nursery. A farmer should focus on the early plant stage of the crop to reap a good yield. It is not good to use chemical fertilizers to boost the output. The fertilizer residue on vegetables and fruits affects the health of consumers.

The farmer should ensure that vegetables and fruits grown retain all nutritional values. I believe in organic farming with a social commitment." Narrating his experience, Mullapudi Suribabu, a farmer of West Godavari district, said, "I raised brinjal and chilli by getting saplings from the Sankuratri Nursery. The brinjal crop has yielded a record output of 17 tonnes per acre.’’

Mallampalli Satyanarayana, a farmer of Aswaraopeta, also vouched the high productivity of vegetable saplings of the bio-nursery. Though the bio-nursery is in the midst of residential area, no one complains because no chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides are used for the growth of the saplings. Venkataratnam also gives training to progressive young farmers in organic farming.

If the State government provides necessary encouragement to nurseryman like Venkataratnam with social commitment, organic farming in the border districts of both Telugu speaking states will get a big boost.