Tsintsu Yimchunger, a 40 year old progressive farmer from Penkim village, Pungro block of Kiphire district owns 10 acres which is blessed with a perennial water source. Though he studied just till the 8th standard, he is an experienced farmer with a rich working knowledge of agriculture and horticulture and is infact a master of it.
He grows vegetable and field crop practicing only organic farming methods. At present, he farms cabbage and potato in two acres. In three years he has harvested 300 to 500 kilos of cabbage. On a Sales and Exhibition day organized by ATMA he managed to sell 350 kilos of cabbage and about 150 kilos of potato recovering his expenses.
He keenly participates in most of the training and exposure trip. These exercises have inspired him to invest in an orchard with 100 apple trees, a fishery and organizing a Self Help Group.
His success story has encouraged many farmers to venture into vegetable farming. He does not hesitate to share information on how to adopt new techniques of farming and because of his intervention; farmers of nearby Penkim have adopted his example and are growing vegetables now.
He states, “The entire philosophy of farming system revolves around better utilization of time, money, resources and family labor. The farmer’s family gets gainful employment round the year thereby, ensuring good income and higher standard of living.” He goes on to say that integration of different farming systems results in better utilization of all the resources where the farmer is very much in command. A statement made based on his years of experience between him and the nature and so he is truly a son of the soil, one cannot argue over it.
Courtesy: ATMA, Department of Agriculture
Government of Nagaland
