Success Story: From mechanical engineer to sustainable farming, know the inspiring story of Sagar Hattikal

Success Story: In only five years, Sagar Hattikal, a young farmer from the Konchigeri Gadag area of Karnataka, transformed from a mechanical engineer to a successful farmer. By using eco-friendly methods and expanding his agricultural endeavors, he turned his 40-acre dryland farm into a prosperous, sustainable business.

Prior to diversifying into luxury guavas, organic crops, and eco-friendly items, Sagar began with dairy farming and produced premium butter and ghee while maintaining long-term sustainability and profitability.

From Business to Farming

Sagar had to leave his ancestral property as a youngster since his father worked for the government in Karnataka tourism. Although he had a strong interest in agriculture, life had other ideas for him. After eight years of employment as a mechanical engineer, Sagar left his managing position at the reputable firm to pursue a career in farming.

Despite his lifelong love of agriculture, he was forced to work in the business world due to family obligations. He chose to quit his work and concentrate on farming on his ancestral property in the Gadag district of Karnataka in 2020, after the completion of his siblings’ educations and his father’s retirement. He basically made his passion his career.

Initially, dairy farming

Two Desi cows in Dharwad marked the beginning of Sagar’s agricultural career. At first, he sold milk to academics at a nearby agricultural institution. He looked into additional uses for the milk and discovered A1 milk ghee and butter, but his demand decreased during the summer when the academics were on vacation. He began producing A1 milk butter and ghee, which quickly gained popularity in both domestic and foreign markets.

He now has 21 cows of native breeds, including Amritmahal, Hallikar, Gir, Rathi, and Malnad Gidda. In addition to producing wholesome milk, these cows’ manure is converted into Ghana Jeevamrit, an organic fertilizer that boosts eco-friendly agriculture and generates additional revenue.

Creating a Green Paradise Out of Dry Land

When Sagar returned to his home farm, he encountered a significant obstacle: his arid ancestral property had no water. To save water, he installed drip irrigation on nine acres using a mere two-inch borewell. He rotated his agricultural plantings to improve the fertility and health of the soil.

Because the area is dry, he produces only appropriate crops, such as drought-tolerant millets, and adjusts the crop according to the seasons. The primary crops he cultivates are:

Kharif Season: Moong Dal, Toor Dal, and Maize (Monsoon season).

Winter (Rabi) season: horse gram and cowpea.

Including Border Crops and Orchards

To increase his revenue, Sagar planted guava trees (Lucknow and Taiwan Pink types) and curry plants in amongst the three acres of irrigated land he had set aside for plantation crops like coconuts. He made a consistent living by selling curry leaves every week at the weekly market.

He planted teak and mahogany trees as border crops around the edges of his property for long-term gains. These improve biodiversity and will undoubtedly provide positive results down the road.

Thanks to his efforts, Sagar now makes between Rs 9.5 and Rs 10 lakh a year. Value-added dairy products, creative farming, and effective water management are all factors in his success. He attributes his accomplishment to his encouraging wife, who has inspired him to go this far. She also has a B.Com degree.

A Note to Farmers

Farmers are encouraged by Sagar to lessen their reliance on pricey seeds and artificial fertilizers. According to him, every farmer needs to raise at least one Desi cow so that it may provide organic manure for the crops and milk for the household. In order to guarantee consistent profits, he also counsels farmers to diversify their operations by beginning small-scale fisheries, producing animals, or adding value to their goods.