Mangmetong village farmer Imnatoshi earns INR 1.25 lakh from off-season cucumber amid rising demand for organic produce.
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'not all graduates or degree holders can secure government jobs,
encouraged young people to consider returning to the land as a viable alternative'
KOHIMA — With local and organic products, especially green vegetables, being sought after by many today, organic farming practices are gradually being adopted by households, though on a small scale.
For many, farming has become a source of income, and due to the growing demand for organic produce, people are venturing into entrepreneurship through farming.
Fifty-one-year-old Imnatoshi from Mangmetong village in Mokokchung district is one such farmer who cultivates a variety of crops. Despite the large quantity of produce in a season, he said he is unable to meet the high demand from consumers.
In a conversation with Eastern Mirror, Imnatoshi said that he cultivates various crops throughout the season. He stated that he is a farmer by profession and owns a paddy field. Beside his field, there is a large tract of land belonging to the village where he cultivates crops along with other villagers.
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He said that although the land he farms on does not belong to him, the village council has allocated land to encourage villagers to take up farming, adding that the land is given to anyone willing to cultivate crops.
He said he has been practising organic farming for more than 10 years and was among the first in the village to do so. He added that other villagers have gradually taken up the practice and that around 30 other families are now engaged in winter crop cultivation.
Among the varieties of crops grown on his farm are broccoli, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, carrot, mustard leaves, sweet corn and off-season cucumber.
He shared that his main off-season crop is cucumber, which is also the highest produced crop on his farm. He said that in a season he generates revenue of about INR 1.25 lakh from cucumber alone.
He also updated that for this year he has planted about 900 off-season cucumber plants, which will be ready for harvest by April and May.
He recalled that the produce was better before the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that after the pandemic he experienced more crop diseases, especially in the cucumber plants.
Meanwhile, he also shared that from green vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, bok choy and broccoli, among others, he was able to earn about INR 1 lakh, excluding labour expenses.
Imnatoshi recalled that when they initially started farming, they would harvest the vegetables and sell them door-to-door in and around the village. However, he said that in the last five years wholesale buyers have been coming directly to the farm.
On demand and supply, he said that he is unable to meet the huge demand. He stated that many wholesalers come with large demands but despite his high production, he is unable to supply all their requirements.
He added that this is not only his experience, but that other farmers are also facing the same situation.
In Mokokchung, he said that vendors and traders at the Wednesday Bazaar and Saturday Bazaar have very high demand.
The local farmer stated that most of the buyers are from Mokokchung district itself, while in rare cases he also transports to buyers in other districts.
Imnatoshi further said that he and his wife work together on the farm. Since the field is about 10 km away from the village, he mostly stays at the rest house on the farm and comes home on Monday and Saturday, returning to the field on Monday.
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He further appreciated the Horticulture and Agriculture departments of Mokokchung for assisting and supporting the farmers with materials, equipment, and other assistance in kind, and for visiting the fields whenever needed.
Message to the youth
To the younger generation, Imnatoshi emphasised that hard work is essential to overcoming unemployment. He stated that only through dedication and consistent effort would the concerned departments recognize and extend support to them. He added that those who remain idle should not expect assistance to come their way.
He urged the youth to take up farming, highlighting that it can generate substantial revenue and serve as a reliable source of income.
He pointed out that not all graduates or degree holders can secure government jobs, and encouraged young people to consider returning to the land as a viable alternative.