India has great potential to grow crops organically and can be a major supplier of organic products in the world. It has been observed that a vast area in the country is exploited with chemicals which give low yield. Organic foods are proved to have superiority in terms of health and safety, but there is no evidence to prove this superiority in terms of taste and nutrition, as most of the studies done are often doesn’t have a conclusion. 

Shivanand Basayya Hiremath from Benachi village, Dharwad, Karnataka State is a farmer like no other. He switched to organic farming after experiencing the diminishing yield and ecological impact, he cut-off all the chemicals and fertilizers in his field.

The gentleman farmer, who knew Belgaum Diocesan Social Service Society’s colossal work since the early days of 2014, got actively involved with Project Ujjivana supported by Caritas India in its second phase in 2019. “I always value the trainings provided by BDSSS and wish that all of us – the farmers take it in the right spirit and bring long-term improvements,” says Hiremath. Such is the aura of the farmer that he’s a frequent participant in the major trainings and meetings of BDSSS in the project area and has participated in trainings and exposure visits everywhere. He also participated in the water conservation training organized by Caritas India in ODP, Mysore. 

He had an unused land of 15 acres at a higher hillock. He comprehended the best use of the land and planted different fruits, spices, ayurvedic herbs, areca nuts, dragon fruit, commercial plants, sandalwood, etc of 36 different varieties organically. He uses Jeevamrutha, organic pesticides, and vermicompost in his field. He also made bunds for the water as well. The areca nut plantation is an experiment. 

Hiremath has been largely benefitted by BDSSS as all the trainings accentuated on organic farming. The plan is long-term and therefore the income is expanded in the recent past. “I was happy that the land that seemed waste for me is being utilized aptly,” says Shivanand Basayya Hiremath. The total plantation is a whopping 15000. There is also a water pond which also has a fishery unit.

Hence this multipurpose usage is giving greater yields to Hiremath. 

By doing all these, Hiremath has become a model farmer in the area and has been paving a way to show the fellow farmers that many varieties can be planted in the area with a greater return on investment. Earlier Hiremath was only involved in monocropping of sugarcane but he has shifted to multi-cropping and has also cultivated vegetables. Hiremath has doubled his annual income, earlier he used to earn Rs. 15 Lakh every year but now it is doubled to Rs. 30 Lakh, which will only increase from here. Hiremath is also a president of the FPO which has 172 members and will be increasing to 200 members in the near future. 

With farmers like Hiremath, the project area is bound to progress forward taking every farmer onto newer heights. Once the awareness increases among other farmers about organic agriculture, more farmers will join to get favourable results from organic farming.