Samman 2024 : Dinesh Joshi: A symbol of innovation in protected cultivation

Dinesh Joshi, a resident of Dadwal village in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, has not only improved his farming through protected cultivation, but has also become an inspiration for the farmers around him. Dinesh, who was once working in Mumbai metropolis, returned to his roots and not only made agriculture a means of his livelihood, but also established it as a profitable venture.

Start of protected cultivation

Dinesh Joshi built a poly house for protected cultivation. When he started it, there was a lot of curiosity and questions about it in the village. It was unique for the villagers to see why a tent-like structure was being installed for farming.

Under the poly house, Dinesh started cultivating exotic vegetables like cucumber, broccoli, red cabbage, lettuce, and color capsicum, apart from traditional crops. He delivered these products to big hotels and markets in the cities and earned good profits from his crops.

This step of his not only proved helpful in increasing his income, but also inspired other farmers of the village to adopt protected farming.

Features of protected farming

1. Use of poly house

Poly house is a protected structure, which protects crops from adverse weather conditions, pests and diseases. In this, temperature and humidity can be controlled.

2. Fertigation and drip technology

Dinesh reduced the consumption of water and fertilizers by using fertigation (process of giving fertilizer with water) and drip irrigation.

3. Mulching technique

He used mulching on the beds in the poly house, which not only reduced the problem of weeds but also maintained the moisture of the soil.

4. Protection from the effects of weather

Dinesh’s protected farming protects crops from the effects of adverse weather like frost, extreme heat or heavy rain.

5. Cultivation of exotic vegetables

Instead of traditional crops, he grew exotic vegetables like broccoli, red cabbage, lettuce and Chinese cucumber, which have high demand and better value in the market.

Advantages of protected farming

1. High quality products

Due to protected farming, the quality of Dinesh’s crops is of the highest level. His vegetables are not only tasty but also attractive to look at.

2. Continuity of production

In Dinesh’s poly house farming, the production of crops is continuous throughout the year.

3. Saving of water and resources

Due to drip irrigation and mulching technique, the consumption of water and fertilizers was reduced drastically.

4. Economic benefits

Dinesh has significantly increased his income through protected farming. Due to the high demand of exotic vegetables, they get better price in the market.

5. Employment generation

Dinesh provided employment to many people of the village. Due to his farming, many people of the village were able to work in their own village.

Benefits of Government Schemes

Dinesh took advantage of various government schemes to set up his protected cultivation and make it successful:

1. Vermi Compost Unit

With the help of Horticulture Department of Government of Rajasthan, he set up a vermicompost unit.

2. Poly House Subsidy

He was provided subsidy to set up a poly house under the Government of Rajasthan and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Anudan Yojana.

3. Inter-State Krishak Bhraman Yojana

Under this scheme, Dinesh got the opportunity to see the models of farmers from other states and learn from them.

Honours and Achievements

Dinesh’s hard work and innovation has been appreciated on many platforms. He has been awarded many awards:

1. Innovative Farmer Award, 2020

He was awarded this prestigious award at the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela.

2. Citation by District Collector, 2020

He was honored as an advanced vegetable producer and model farmer in the Republic Day celebrations.

3. Innovative Farmer Award, 2020

Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur awarded him this award.

4. ATMA Award, 2022

He received this award for advanced agricultural techniques.

5. State Level Krishi Vigyan Mela, 2023

He got first and second place for excellence in the cultivation of capsicum and native rose.

Future plans

Dinesh Joshi aims to have more and more farmers adopt his model of protected farming. He wants farmers to be connected with modern agricultural techniques, so that their income can increase.

1. Training farmers

Dinesh has already trained many farmers and wants to continue this work in future as well.

2. Expansion of protected farming

His dream is to increase the scope of protected farming in Rajasthan and get it recognized at the national level.

3. Promoting Scientific Approach

He is motivating farmers to adopt scientific approach in farming.

Message for farmers

Dinesh believes that farming should not be done only on the basis of tradition. His message is:

– Adopt innovation: Increase your income by adopting new technological methods in farming.

– Take care of the environment: Protected farming not only increases production but also protects the environment.

– Change with time: Discover new possibilities by adopting modern farming.

Dinesh Joshi has not only strengthened his livelihood by adopting protected cultivation but has also become an inspiration for farmers. His hard work, innovation and scientific approach have made his farming a model. His success story proves that if there is the right approach and effort, farming can also become a profitable and respectable business.