Grapefruit cultivation using cow-based farming, reap financial benefits to a farmer

Farmers in India especially in Gujarat have always been experimental and their experiments are proving to be the most beneficial for the country and agriculture and farmers. At the same time, it seems to be beneficial for other farmers to experiment with cow-based farming in their small plot of lands like Dharmeshbhai and his fellow farmers are doing.

Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat is a follower of cow-based farming. The state government has implemented a scheme to encourage cow-rearing for cow-based farming which has witnessed enthusiastic participation from about 15 people from Bhadarwa of Savli Taluka including a farmer, Dharmesh Patel of Wankaner area.

Dharmesh Patel has been experimenting with cow-based farming and has decided to make the most out of the cow-based natural farming. Dharmeshbhai raises cows and his farm is full of barrels carrying sour buttermilk made from cow urine and cow’s milk. He says, the cheapest alternative to expensive urea is a paste made from sour milk and cow urine. He even claims that cow-based farming may be the best way to prevent global warming at the local level. He has planted seven vitamin-rich grapefruit trees in an empty land that pays him regular rent. The fruits are a good immunity booster source and can be beneficial to people amidst coronavirus.

The grapefruit was brought by a guest from Bangalore who offered it as a prasad to Lord Ganesha during Ganeshotsav. He then sowed the seeds of the fruit in his field and soon the trees turned into trees and will bear fruits from the onset of monsoon to winter.

Dharmeshbhai and his friends Dasharath Singh, Jaideepbhai went to Vadtal and took training in cow-based farming in the camp of Subhash Palekarji, an advocate of natural farming. All these friends are now dedicating themselves to the same and using cow dung and urine in various ways in their farming. Their goal is to keep as many farms as possible free from chemicals and focus on pure cultivation.

The world is waiting for the vaccine, meanwhile, everyone is trying to boost their immunity and this fruit is an excellent immunity booster. A grapefruit tree bears an average of 250 pomelo fruits in a season, after selling one can earn more than Rs. 15,000 per tree annually.

The cultivation of this tree has made it possible to use unused land for income generation. Curiosity about the fruit peaked in the mind of the people when the Home Minister was welcomed by giving a basket of the fruit at an agricultural program at Savli recently. Many people consider this fruit cultivation to be cost-effective. The fruit which is probably the size of a football is green or pale yellow when raw and is more yellow when ripe.