Ex-RTC official reaps riches from fig plants

On an average he is earning `30,000 a month. His annual income from the Fig crop after deducting all expenditure is 2.5 lakh. The fruits are very tasty and nutritious too as he does not use any chemical fertilisers

Jadcherla (Mahbubnagar): Even as seasoned farmers consider agriculture as a huge liability under the prevailing drought situation, a retired RTC superintendent from an agriculture family is proving that it is not at all loss-making business and earning at least Rs 2.5 lakh a year through his pragmatic approach.

This novel farmer Lingaiah is steered by unflinching faith in his ability as he never practised agriculture due to his pre-occupation with the job. Upon his retirement from the RTC, he bought 11 acres of land at Goslapur in Jadcharla mandal. He grew Common Fig in two acres and cultivated Cotton in rest of the land.

Lingaiah procured 700 Fig plants each at a cost of Rs 12 from Bellary of Karnataka and planted them in last August, using drip irrigation for the cultivation. He incurred a total expenditure of Rs 50,000 to raise the crop, after applying liquid Jeevamrut. The crop will give yield for about 15 years. In the first phase, he is getting a yield of 20 kg a day from his farm. He sells the fruit at Rs 50 a kg. The Fig crop gives yield throughout the year and the production improves by each passing day. On an average he is earning Rs 30,000 a month.

His annual income from the Fig crop after deducting all expenditure is Rs 2.5 lakh. The fruits are very tasty and nutritious too as he does not use any chemical fertiliser. The fruits are fit to be consumed or sold in the market readily. Lingaiah is also raising vegetables like bitter gourd and beans to cater to his kitchen needs. He does not employ any worker. His whole family works in the field. He is appealing to other farmers to follow his example, instead of borrowing funds heavily, and take precautions in incurring losses.