Brinjol Brings About A Bright Smile

Raisingbhai Motisingbhai Parmar, a farmer from Nana Ekalbara, a small village in Padra taluka of Vadodara district, is a very happy man today. Educated up to 7th standard, he was forced to help his father in farming because of poor financial condition. Over the years he learnt how to grow crops like tobacco, paddy and wheat from his father. From a small piece of land of 1.5 vigha, they managed to earn about Rs.40,000/- to Rs.50,000/- a year. For many years he was growing tobacco but since last two years they were not earning much from it.

Raisingbhai was already getting guidance through SVKSK for seeds and pesticides. One day he just came to the centre and announced “I have a small piece of land but I also have some facility for water. I want to grow brinjol this year. I have no information on it and I have never grown brinjol before. If you give me information and guidance on brinjol crop, I will consider growing it this year.” Such enthusiastic farmers are rare to find.

Under guidance of SFT staff, Raisingbhai sowed Krishna variety of brinjol in 1.5 vigha land. Adequate distance was kept between the plants. Water and manure were given as planned. Basically the crop was taken care of scientifically. Expert on crop protection also used to visit the farm regularly. If any insects were noticed, Raisingbhai was immediately asked to spray medicine. When the time came to pick the crop, Rasingbhai was a happy man. He said “I knew that good quality of brinjol will grow but I did not know that they will grow in such a large quantity".

In the first pick he got 160 kilos of brinjol which fetched him Rs. 60/- per 20 kilos. That was the highest rate in the market. This was because brinjols looked fresh and healthy. Slowly the quantity of each pick started increasing to 240 kilos to 280 kilos. Raisingbhai believed that when they will fully grow by 90 days, each pick will be 1000 kilos. He said “When I took the brinjol to the market for the first time, everyone said I will get Rs. 30/- to 35/- per 20 kilos but when auction began, just by looking at my brinjol, the business man offered Rs. 60/- for 20 kilos. This started happening every day. My brinjols were weighed and bought straight away".

Today he is an informed farmer. Under guidance of SFT staff, this year he will earn about Rs. 1, 25,000/- from one season alone, instead of Rs. 40,000/- to Rs 50,000/- a year. He could not hide his happiness. This is an excellent example of combination of knowledge, guidance, care and hard work. The shine of brinjol was reflecting on his face with a bright smile.