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Hareram Mahato of Sitamarhi earned double the profit from mixed farming of tomato and bitter gourd, his smart farming has become an inspiration for local farmers.
SitamarhiInnovative farmer Hareram Mahato of Sitamarhi has created such a model of mixed farming, which has not only increased his income but has also set an inspiring example for other farmers, While in traditional farming, farmers depend on a single crop, Hareram has adopted a new method of growing tomato and bitter gourd together, His thinking was how to increase production while reducing space, labor and cost in farming, His ‘Smart Farming’, which started with this idea, has today become a topic of discussion among local farmers,
The most special thing about Hareram’s technique is that the bitter gourd vines grow up with the support of tomato plants. Due to this, there is no need to install additional scaffolding in the field and maximum utilization of land is achieved. The strong branches of tomato provide natural support to the bitter gourd vines, while the roots of both crops develop rapidly without affecting each other. Due to this, air circulation, availability of sunlight and moisture balance in the field also remains better. As a result, the growth of both crops appears more healthy and balanced than normal farming.
Cost of pesticides is less
According to farming experts, both tomato and bitter gourd crops support each other well in terms of temperature and disease resistance. Hareram explains that in this model of mixed farming, the impact of diseases and pests is much less, due to which the expenditure on pesticides is reduced to almost half. Costs like irrigation, fertilizer and labor are also significantly reduced due to sharing. Since tomato and bitter gourd crops are ready at different times, the opportunity to sell them in the market also increases and the farmer continues to get continuous income.
New hope for small and marginal farmers
After the experiment was successful, Hareram Mahato adopted the same technique in other parts of his farm also. He says that from this mixed farming system he is getting almost double the profit as compared to traditional farming. Inspired by his success, many nearby farmers are now preparing to adopt this method. Hareram believes that if farmers adopt modern technologies with a little understanding and scientific thinking, then more profits can be earned in less space and less cost. This innovative initiative of his has brought new hope for small and marginal farmers.
