Young farmer Gurjeet Singh is earning lakhs by cultivating gerbera in polyhouse

Gurjeet Singh is earning lakhs from organic farming of gerbera. His hard work and inspiration to move in a new direction by moving away from traditional farming is proving beneficial for the farmers.

The fragrance and beauty of flowers is also attracting farmers, because they can earn a lot from it. Gerbera farming is also one such attractive option, with the help of which farmers can earn well. The specialty of these flowers is that they remain fresh for a long time. Yes, these flowers do not wilt for a week, and hence they are used for decoration on weddings or other special occasions.

Farmers who want to do something new apart from traditional farming can cultivate gerbera flowers, as is being done by young farmer Gurjeet Singh of Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. Gurjeet Singh, who belongs to a farmer family, is earning lakhs by cultivating four different species of gerbera. He talked about his journey with Kisan of India correspondent Sarvesh Bundeli.

The first thought that came to my mind was farming

Regarding the beginning of his farming, Gurjeet Singh says that farming came to his mind as Plan B. Actually, he has done post graduation from Pantnagar University, and during that time he used to go to seminars of Pantnagar Agriculture University. While meeting the professors and researchers there, he came to know about protected agriculture, that how other crops can be grown in polyhouse apart from traditional farming.

Crops can be grown here which cannot be grown in open fields, that is, crops which need a certain temperature can be easily grown here. Gurjeet Singh tells that after college, he prepared for a government job for 2-3 years and also did a private job for some time, but he felt that he cannot survive for long in a private job. Then farming became his plan B, and he adopted a profitable option like gerbera farming. His ancestral business was farming, so the first idea that came to his mind was what could be done in farming.

Special preparation of the soil

Sandy, brown soil is considered the best for gerbera cultivation. Gurjeet Singh prepares the soil in a natural way. He prepares the soil by mixing cow dung manure, paddy husk and neem cake. Due to which the soil becomes fertile. Gerbera plants are planted by making beds. He tells that there is a distance of 2 feet between two rows of gerbera. While a distance of one feet is kept between the plants. Two rows are made in one bed.

Semi Organic

Gurjeet Singh is cultivating gerbera in a polyhouse, and he says that he uses the drenching process in the beginning. For about a month, fertilizer and nutrition is given to the roots of the plants through drenching, because the plants are very small. After this, fertilizer is given through drip. He says that he does not do completely organic farming, but it can be called semi-organic, because he tries to use fertilizer as little as possible. Fertilizer is used only when it is very necessary, otherwise he uses vermicompost and other organic products.

Plants last for years

Gurjeet Singh is cultivating four varieties of gerbera, which include colorful species like Libya and Breakdance. He tells that the gerbera plant grows very quickly, flowers start blooming within two and a half to three months of planting. He has planted 3 thousand plants in an area of ​​500 square meters. The biggest advantage of cultivating gerbera flowers is that once the plant is planted, flowers keep coming for 4-5 years.

Learned from experience

Gurjeet Singh says that initially he faced some difficulty in cultivating this exotic flower, but gradually he learned everything. In the beginning, drenching has to be done on the fourth to fifth day to apply fertilizer. But when you gain experience, you understand what is the problem with the plants even while roaming around the crop. By looking at the color of the leaves and the structure of the flowers, you understand whether there is a lack of any nutrient or there is some other problem. In this way, the challenges and experience related to gerbera cultivation have made him a skilled farmer.

One time cost

There is a little expenditure in the beginning in gerbera cultivation, but that cost is only one time. By spending once, you can easily earn for 4-5 years. Regarding the cost, he tells that he has built the structure of the polyhouse on 80 percent subsidy, that is, only 20 percent was spent from his pocket which was about 1.25 lakhs.

After that, the planting material also cost about one lakh. The raw material used for this also has to be purchased only once. All the expenses come in one go which was 3.5 to 4 lakh rupees. That is, if someone wants to start gerbera cultivation, then he can start it with 4 lakh rupees.

How much is the earning 

Gurjeet Singh says that 35-40 flowers are obtained annually from one plant. Last year, he sold 4 lakh rupees worth of flowers from one plant. He says that the production is good in the first 3-4 years, but the production may be less in the last year, which depends on the care of the plants and other conditions.

Gerbera, also known as African Daisy, is a very beautiful flower and the mantra of success in its cultivation is hard work, right soil and necessary care. Farmers can earn well from gerbera cultivation, if they grow it properly and leave no stone unturned in care.

Important things related to gerbera cultivation

Due to its beauty and staying fresh for a long time, it is in great demand and gets a good price in the market.

The soil for its cultivation should be friable and fertile. Cowdung manure and coconut husk can be added to the field.

Plants should be planted at a distance of 30 to 40 cm.

Irrigate the gerbera plants daily.

Gerbera cultivation should be done by making a polyhouse.

After about two and a half to three months of planting, the buds bloom, which should be plucked so that another bud can bloom on it.

For cultivation on one acre of land, about 28 thousand seeds of gerbera will be required.