Andhra Pradesh farmer does animal based organic farming

In today’s time, due to increase in the cost of cultivation and decrease in profits, many farmers have left farming and started doing other works. But there are many farmers who are not only doing farming, but have adopted organic farming instead of chemicals to make it better. One such farmer is Gadde Satish Babu of Andhra Pradesh, who is doing organic farming based on animals. He learned this skill of animal based organic farming from his father and is now setting an example for the people of the area.

Who is Satish Babu?

Hailing from Seethampeta village in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Satish is a post graduate in commerce. Instead of going after the job, he decided to pursue his traditional farming. Satish cultivates coconut in 16 acres, paddy in 19 acres and maize in 20 acres. He also has 37 buffaloes. He learned the virtues of animal-based farming from his father and believes that this is the best method of farming, as well as good for the environment. Despite the risk and uncertainty associated with it, he continued with this method of farming, as he has seen his family successfully go organic since 1990. 

Benefits of organic farming 

Satish believes that animal based organic farming is beneficial in many ways. Its use eliminates the dependence on expensive chemical fertilizers, thereby reducing the cost of production and increasing profits. Also saves energy and protects the environment in the long run. Satish believes that animal-based organic farming reduces dependence on external inputs and also saves labour. In today’s time, the demand for organic things is also increasing to avoid lifestyle related diseases. Apart from this, this method of farming also reduces the effect of pests and diseases on the crops.

Animals benefit from grazing in the open 

Satish leaves the animals free to graze during the day and ties them with long ropes at night. The rope is kept long so that the animals can sit as per their convenience. Along with this, the dung and urine of animals keep getting absorbed in the soil. This increases soil fertility and reduces the problem of weeds. Apart from grazing in the open, he also feeds them paddy husk when there is shortage of green fodder. Satish says that availability of labour is a big problem and to overcome this problem he uses basin method of irrigation in coconut gardens. Along with open grazing, he feeds the animals with paddy husk during the fodder-scarce season. They say that due to open grazing of animals and eating natural fodder, they do not face any kind of fertility or reproduction problem. 

Good price of organic paddy 

He gets a good price for the best quality paddy produce through completely organic farming without any chemicals. According to him, paddy is sold at Rs 80 to 100 per kg. He cultivates paddy on 19 acres without any chemical. Paddy residues are used to nourish the soil. He believes that by cultivating paddy organically, rice of the best quality and taste is obtained. He has also received the award for Best Animal Based Organic Farming.

Satish, who has a good understanding of organic farming, is a progressive farmer who feels free to share his experiences with other farmers and inspire them for organic farming.