Success Story: This farmer from Assam is earning lakhs of rupees annually from papaya cultivation
Success Story: After 24 years of conventional farming in Assam’s Golaghat district, Asgar Ali, a forward-thinking farmer, made a choice that changed his whole agricultural career. Through hard work and creativity, he transformed what was feasible by going from making little income from producing vegetables, wheat, and rice to making over Rs 60 lakh a year from papaya farming. “Farming is a passion, not merely a means of subsistence. According to Asgar Ali, “any farmer can succeed with hard work, the right technology, and a willingness to try something new.”
How Asgar Ali’s Story Began
Asgar Ali began his farming career as a typical farmer, growing wheat and rice, like the majority of Indian farmers. He remembers that “the returns were minimal compared to the efforts and investments.” Asgar Ali told Krishi Jagran that he started looking into contemporary agricultural techniques after realizing that traditional farming methods weren’t producing a steady revenue.
“I wanted to try something new that could bring more profit and help me grow financially,” Asgar explains. Five years ago, he made the life-altering choice to pursue papaya growing because of his curiosity and determination.
Make the switch to papaya farming
Asgar Ali made the switch to growing the Red Lady type of papaya with advice from agricultural specialists and data acquired from other sources. This type is highly sought after by consumers because of its huge fruits and vivid crimson flesh, as well as its rapid fruiting phase. “After planting the saplings, the fruits begin to appear within three months,” he says.
Before he started growing papayas, Asgar made sure the soil in his field was acceptable. Since papaya trees cannot withstand high levels of moisture, he explains, “I tested my soil to make sure it was free from waterlogging.” In order to guarantee excellent growing circumstances, he also determined that February and March were the best months to sow saplings.
Creative Methods for Elevated Yield
Asgar emphasizes how crucial irrigation and spacing are to papaya cultivation. Papaya trees need little maintenance, but they do require regular watering and a healthy diet. “I space my saplings six feet apart and make my rows seven feet wide. He claims that this spacing offers enough room for development and nourishment. The plants stay healthy when they get light but frequent watering every three to four days.
The outcomes are self-evident. His 15-bigha papaya plantation makes a good profit, with 378 plants per bigha, each of which produces around 1 quintal 20 kg of fruit a year. According to Asgar, “The profit can reach Rs 4 lakh per bigha, but the cost is approximately Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000 per bigha.”
Prioritize sustainability and quality
Asgar’s careful attention to sustainability and quality is the foundation of his agricultural success. To find nutritional inadequacies, he regularly examines the soil and administers fertilizers appropriately. “The plants receive all necessary nutrients without damaging the soil when organic and chemical fertilizers are balanced,” he explains.
An additional crucial component of his farming is disease prevention. Although papaya plants are usually hardy, after six months, the leaves might sometimes turn yellow. To solve this problem and guarantee the health of the plants, I use fungicides,” he says. By using environmentally friendly pest management techniques, Asgar also keeps an eye out for bug damage. Keeping his plants healthy and productive has been made possible by his proactive attitude.
Asgar Ali Nursery Farm
Apart from cultivating papayas, Asgar also owns and operates his own nursery, “Asgar Ali Nursery Farm,” which provides premium papaya seedlings. His nursery has become well-known not only in Assam but also in nearby states, generating extra revenue.
The experience of selling seedlings has been fulfilling. It enables me to impart my knowledge and support the success of other farmers,” he adds with pride. His reputation as a forward-thinking farmer is shown by the steady increase in demand for his seedlings.
Motivation for Upcoming Generations
Future generations and other farmers may draw inspiration from Asgar’s agricultural success. He credits his success to embracing contemporary methods, maintaining a strong work ethic, and being dedicated to lifelong learning. “Farming can be revolutionized with hard work and the right technology.” “If I can do it, then anyone can,” he asserts.
By expanding the farmed area and investigating more high-value crops, Asgar hopes to grow his agricultural activities in the future. He says, “I want to use even more cutting-edge methods to increase yield and profitability.” Asgar Ali keeps raising the bar for agricultural excellence with his persistent dedication to advancement.
Additionally, he hopes to make his farm a shining example of sustainable farming, encouraging next generations of farmers to adopt cutting-edge practices.
Asgar Ali’s path from conventional farmer to successful entrepreneur is a testament to ingenuity and tenacity. What would he advise would-be farmers? Put forth a lot of effort, never stop learning, and use methods that are appropriate for your resources and terrain. We can make farming lucrative and sustainable by putting the proper procedures into place,” he says.
