Seed production, innovative farming techniques

Self-sufficient and new technology farming is always profitable. Along with this, farmers can earn good income by engaging in other activities related to agriculture. Mrs. Monika Pandurang Sharma, a 46-year-old woman farmer from Jalna district of Maharashtra shows the way. She is a successful farmer who uses new technology in farming with the help of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jalna and is earning well by producing seeds. Monika, who belongs to a farming family, has been associated with this center for the last 7 years and ispracticing advanced farming on her 5.20 hectares of land.

Specialty of Farming

Monica Pandurang promotes organic farming. They own a total of 41 cattle heads including six bullocks, 35 indigenous cows and one Pandharpuri buffalo. To keep the soil healthy, she makes compost with new technology. She maintains all kinds of advanced machinery and equipment herself to reduce the cost and increase agricultural operations. The family owns agricultural equipment like tractor, rotavator, BBF sowing machine, ripper etc.

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Certified & Base Seed Producer

She also produces certified and base seeds of oilseeds and pulses like soybean, tur, gram, green gram, black gram. Not only this, she produces an improved variety of crops. Besides, she promotes and produces herbal Holi colours.

Monica also produces soya products like soya flour, flaxseeds, mukhwas, niger chutney etc. through self-help groups. She has formed a self-help group named ‘ShivkripaMahilaBachat Ghat’. She produces over 100 quintals of certified and base seeds, 3-5 quintals of natural colors and 2-5 quintals of soya products every year. This gives them 30 percent additional income. Thanks to her innovative techniques, she has reduced the cost of farming by 50 percent.

Benefit also in lockdown

Monica Pandurang follows the changing needs of times. While most of the farmers suffered losses during the lockdown, she produced 10 tonnes of melon. She made a handsome profit by providing it at the doorsteps of the people.

Monica Pandurang has become a role model for the farmers of her area by using intercropping, natural fertilizers and machinesand processing products. Monica, who prepares natural fertilizers instead of using chemical fertilizers for agriculture, believes in the best use of available resources. She is counted among successful women farmersdue to her efficient running of other activities related to farming.