Success Story: Akbar got success from high-density farming of apple and plum

Success Story: By eschewing conventional agricultural practices and focusing on high-density apple plum cultivation, Akbar Ali Ahmed, a forward-thinking farmer in Assam’s Chirang district, has made a name for himself. Millions of farmers around the nation find inspiration in his narrative, which demonstrates that even with minimal means, success can be attained on a huge scale via the adoption of innovative practices. Akbar now owns 4 hectares of the 10 hectares of land he uses for apple plum cultivation, with the other area being leased and acquired in partnership.

His “Khidmat Agro Nursery and Farm” generates around Rs 1 crore in revenue each year via the cultivation and preparation of nurseries for a variety of fruits, such as apple, plum, and dragon fruit. Tell us in full about Akbar Ali Ahmed’s tale in such a scenario.

Using new Agricultural Techniques

Akbar, a forward-thinking farmer, began growing apple plums in high density six years ago. The spacing between plants is just 7 by 6 feet in high-density farming, compared to 15 by 15 feet in conventional farming. Production may be increased by planting additional plants on the same piece of land in this manner.

By using this technique, Akbar was able to lower costs while simultaneously increasing yield. According to him, small and medium farmers stand to gain greatly from high-density farming as it allows for more output in less time and at a lower cost.

Advantages and Features of High Density Farming

There are more plants and they are easier to care for, which is one of the main benefits of Akbar’s high-density farming. Because he placed them on a bed that was three feet broad, the plants’ roots received deep, healthy soil, which allowed them to flourish quickly. In only five months, his trees begin to produce fruit thanks to this method.

Length and Cost of Harvest

July and August are the months when Akbar plants his apple berry crop, and January through March is when the fruits are ready for harvest. This crop typically costs between 40 and 60 rupees per kilogram, depending on the crop’s quality and market demand. They make a nice living because better-quality fruits fetch a greater price on the market. As a result, Akbar is further motivated by the high revenue he receives from the crop he grows once a year.

6-7 tons can be Produced in one Bigha

In contrast to conventional farming, which only allows for the planting of 80–100 plants on a single bigha of land, Akbar is able to plant about 350 plants on one bigha of land because to high density farming. About 30 to 50 kg of fruit may be produced from a single apple berry plant. This indicates that one hectare of land produces around 6 to 7 tons of apple butter, which is excellent.

Advantages of Growing Various Types

In his field, Akbar grows a wide variety of apple plums, including Miss India, Bharat Sundari, and Kashmiri Apple. Growing a variety of fruits has the major benefit of preventing all of the fruits from ripening at the same time, which keeps the market’s fruit supply steady and his revenue stream steady. In addition, he can more easily offer in accordance with client demand thanks to the variety. He claims that this variety provides his crops with a unique market character.

No Issues with Marketing

According to Akbar, he has no trouble selling his goods. His fruits are readily sold as a result of his positive reputation in the states surrounding Bengal and Assam. He saves time and effort in selling his food since there is a market for it both locally and statewide. Additionally, his fruit is of such high quality that customers keep buying it, which causes his revenue to rise steadily.

Modern Irrigation Techniques

Drip irrigation is a contemporary irrigation technique that Akbar has used on his crops. This technique not only conserves water but also provides the plants’ roots with the proper quantity of water. In addition to keeping the plants healthy, this speeds up their growth. Sometimes it might be difficult to get water in Assam, but he has been able to handle this issue using the drip irrigation method.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance of Orchards

According to Akbar, maintaining and cleaning orchards on a regular basis is crucial for a healthy crop output. In order to prevent crop illnesses, he has taken extra care to keep his orchards clean and regularly prunes unwanted plants. Grafting, which produces more and quicker fruits, has been used to sow the plants. The plants are kept healthy with this kind of care, and the output is likewise of excellent quality.

Motivation for Farmers

Akbar’s tale serves as an illustration for farmers of the potential advantages of using contemporary agricultural practices and innovative approaches. He is a prosperous farmer because of his perseverance and hard work, and many farmers in the nation still look up to him today. He has shown that with modern technology and effective management, greater productivity and profit can be made even on less land.