Rajasekhar Angadi: Thanks to Hard Efforts, Meticulous Planning and Grapes; From Just Two Acres to 300 Acres
Bengaluru: Rajasekhar Angadi of Mudhol town in Bagalkote district is an amazingly inspiring and unassuming, humble personality. His endeavours as a simple, ordinary peasant with a meagre land holding of two acres, increasing in leaps and bounds over a period of time to 300 acres, are a strange, unimaginable and astoundingly difficult to think of, but a true story to imbibe for all farm enthusiasts.
Maharashtra farmers become a role model: Rajasekhar Angadi was studying Engineering when his elder brother, Mallikarjun Angadi, was farming after completing an Agriculture degree. At that time, grape cultivation was in huge demand as farmers in the North Karnataka region were just picking up the practice in the footsteps of their neighbouring Maharashtra. Interestingly, the growers of the Southern Maharashtra region are a role model to the adjoining Bagalkote and Vijayapura district farmers when it comes to progressive farming.
Brother's job becomes a turning point: Rajasekhar Angadi's Dad, despite being a bureaucrat, had a penchant for indulging in Agriculture. It was on his advice that the elder brother took to farming, although reluctantly, as he was more enthusiastic about doing a job. Despite being insistent, he was doing a good job as far as grape cultivation was concerned. Yet, and simultaneously, he was also seriously trying for a job. According to Rajasekhar Angadi, his elder brother was very intelligent, such that he came with flying colours in whichever examinations he appeared. First, he got through the Bank of Baroda job, which he didn't take up. Next, he got selected as a Field Officer of the Syndicate Bank. This time, he didn't even bother to inform them and instead just left the town to join the new assignment in Karkala!
Left Engineering and Degree midway! Rajasekhar Angadi's father was a bit upset at the elder brother's decision. As an alternative, he suggested that Rajasekhar return home and resume farming. No doubt, Rajasekhar had a love for peasantry; he also had a fond wish to complete his Engineering degree. But his father advised doing a commerce degree along with Agriculture, which, however, didn't materialise! This way, Rajasekhar was compelled to step into his elder brother's shoes as a cultivator.
Grape, a delicate crop with strange nuances: Rajasekhar Angadi became totally involved with Agriculture. His elder brother had already grown grape plants, and the rearing of the same was totally new, as dealing with the plants was a delicate issue for being a fresh crop in the surrounding areas.
Grapes' experience enriches Rajasekhar Angadi: Thanks to the newfound interest in grapes, accompanied by the curious learning attitude of Rajasekhar Angadi, ensured him a variety of hitherto unheard experiences. He made frequent trips to Maharashtra to learn from the experienced grape farmers there, along with attending monthly meetings called by the officials. This learning paved the way for a new outlook and exposure for him to tread a much more challenging path ahead.
From two acres to 50 acres of Grapes! Rajasekhar Angadi, then didn't know Marathi. However, he managed to communicate with the farmers of Maharashtra to address his issues about the crop. Along with frequent visits to Maharashtra, he was in touch with the scientists regularly. Looking back, Rajasekhar Angadi informs, "Grapes gave me tremendous knowledge. It taught me a great deal. My elder brother had planted grapes only on two acres to start with. Thanks to my wavelength with the crop, I kept on increasing the area slowly from 2-4-8-10 and ultimately to 50 acres! It also happened to be the highest land of grape cultivation by an individual in the whole of Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts and adjoining region".
Number one in yield and exports: Thanks to the expertise of Rajasekhar Angadi, who went on to become the number one grower of the grape-growing area of the state in terms of yield and exports for several years. He used to export raisins to many European countries, and the products for such exports were only dry grapes.
Purchases six acres of land in Vijayapura to dry grapes! As the climate in Mudhol used to be humid, the conditions were a little bit adverse to drying the grapes. Although it used to be arid conditions during the day, it became cool during the night. As a result, all the grapes which used to dry during the day turned moist in the night. Apart from becoming wet, the colour of the grapes also tends to become dull. The demand for the crop can be assured only if the grapes remain green like the way as soon as they are plucked. And, if they became even a little bit red in colour, the prices used to drop significantly. To overcome this unfriendly situation, Rajasekhar Angadi bought six acres of land with the only intention of drying the produce. The Bagalkote weather was oscillating between dry and moist conditions during the day and night due to the irrigated terrain, while Vijayapura remained hot both during the day and night as well.
From two acres to 300 acres! Rajasekhar Angadi thrived by cultivating grapes and multiplying the area of growing the same year after year. This went on for about 15-20 years, and there was no looking back. He increased the quantum of land for the cultivation of grapes from merely two acres to 50 acres. But, he was not a happy man at the alarming hike in the increase of the land at his disposal. On the other hand, he went on buying 10 acres, 15 acres with the income fetched from the sale of grape produce. Then, admits Rajasekhar Angadi, 'the prices of the agricultural lands had not skyrocketed like the way now.
Hundred per cent irrigated! When quizzed about the challenges in managing the 300 acres of land all alone, while small and medium farmers keep cribbing about labour problems, Rajasekhar Angadi coolly told-"Yes, I myself and all alone am managing the entire stretch of the 300 acres of vast land. All 300 acres are fully irrigated with drip irrigation, and water is available 24X7 throughout the year. Not only do I provide water, but I have also developed the entire area into fertile land. I went on buying all available adjoining lands one by one, without bothering about the quality of the soil. However, I invested a good deal of money to transform the same into high-yielding, rich soil. I started tilling land in 1990 and have been continuing to do so for the last 35 years".
One crore fetches 100 acres of land! On how he managed to buy such a big chunk of land measuring 300 acres, Rajasekhar Angadi informs, "It was in 1996-97. I had harvested raisins, which fetched me Rs. One crore. Then the land price was just one lakh per acre, and it was not a challenging task for me to buy 100 acres of land in one go. I used to harvest a minimum of 100-120 tons of grapes annually".
Thanks to HD Devegowda, raisin prices went Northwards: "It was in 1996, when HD Devegowda was the prime minister, that raisins got a very good price. I don't remember exactly whether the minimum support price was hiked or exports were allowed. The export proportion is also not all that significant because the locally grown produce isn't sufficient to cater to the domestic requirements. The price of raisins keeps fluctuating every now and then for a variety of reasons. Perhaps, during 1995-96, the yield was lower to ensure good prices", explained Rajasekhar Angadi.
Afghanistan raisins are of top class: He also gave a picture of the global raisins market, stating that although our country exports raisins, they are not of the topmost international quality. Iran and Afghanistan also play a vital role in the global grape market, thanks to the standard quality. However, Afghanistan's top-quality raisins are known as Kishmish, which refers to both red and green varieties, often sold under names like Kishmish Afghan Long or Sundaekhani. They are prized for their natural sweetness, plump texture, and nutritional value, and are available in seedless or seeded, and various colours like green, red, or black. They are all naturally dried, leaving behind the twig as well.
Now, not even one acre of grapes! No doubt, Rajasekhar Angadi thrived with the bumper crop of grapes; he managed to buy 300 acres of land. It may look strange or paradoxical to you that now he doesn't grow grapes even on one acre! Asked about the U-turn in the grape cultivation, Rajasekhar Angadi asserts, "There is no second opinion that grape cultivation has been solely responsible for whatever I could accomplish so far. However, after a couple of decades, grape cultivation didn't turn out to be profitable like the way it used to be earlier. The grape rates started dipping while the labourers' wages kept on increasing, making me think twice about whether it is worthwhile continuing to grow grapes. Hence, I shifted to Sugarcane, Turmeric and Maize and at the same time, bidding adieu to grapes once and forever.
Sugar factory spoils groundwater: A private sugar factory was set up adjoining my grape field, and the waste released by the same completely destroyed the quality of the groundwater. The pollutant emissions totally changed the scenario into such a hopeless condition that the land became unsuitable for grape cultivation. Hence, Rajasekhar Angadi was compelled to give up grape cultivation once and for all. When asked whether the sugar factory management gave any compensation for damaging his land forever, Rajasekhar Angadi just laughed and uttered, It's something which could never be thought of!
Grape demands full-time attention and care: Also, explaining the valid reasons for giving up grape cultivation, Rajasekhar Angadi felt, "Grapes demand full-time attention and tender care by the experts. You need to be there daily.
Need to change with changing times: At the outset, Rajasekhar Angadi admits that several issues are plaguing the farming sector. He also categorically asserts that there are a good lot of woes entangled with agriculture, including the much hyped labourers' problems. At the same time, which sector is free from problems, he hits back.
200-300 labourers a day: He also recalls, "When I was cultivating grapes in 50 acres of land, there was no labour problem at all. There used to be 200-300 labourers every day, and the daily wages were just Rs 15-20! Then the quantum of physical work was also tremendous, as I had to segregate the raisins by their colours, like green, red and black and do the grading. Also, there were no machines available for the grading purpose, and every stage was to be managed by the workforce! Now, you have all types of machines even to do the colour grading. But, way back, we got all such work done by the labourers, as there was no dearth of them. Things have changed to such a great extent that today no one does colour grading manually! Today, for every type of work, you have readily available machines, as things are fast transforming and will continue to do so, and there is no point in grumbling about the lack of farm workers".
Women labourers have a big role: He is also cautious to stress the big role of women in grape cultivation. Rajasekhar Angadi points out, "Women have a vital role in grape cultivation as they need to cut the twigs of the grapes and things like that. These days, it is difficult to get women labourers, and even if you get it is a cumbersome process to get things done in the required manner. But a much more important aspect is that the grower also needs to be an expert to get the work done in the required way. Both the grower and the workers need to work like a team to ensure proper results".
Input expenditure more now: Rajasekhar Angadi laments at the adverse conditions for growing grapes and the ever-increasing cost of expenditure, "The rates of the raisins have, by and large have remained stagnant, but for a better price this year. Meanwhile, the cost of seedlings, chemicals, fertilisers, wages of labourers and all related inputs has been continuously increasing. Hence, by my experience, it wasn't found worthwhile or profitable to continue with grapes. This is how I had to give up grape cultivation".
Sugarcane crop in 50 per cent of the area: Now, Rajasekhar Angadi is cultivating the sugarcane crop in almost half of his land holdings or 150 acres. Every year, his sugarcane crop goes to the sugar factories. I take three sugarcane crops continuously; one after planting the main crop, and the remaining two subsequent ratoon crops. Every year, I do about 50 acres of sugarcane plantation, while the remaining 100 acres would be ratoon ones. At times, this area goes up to 200 acres.
A variety of crops: After harvesting two ratoon crops of sugarcane, I change the crops in such a manner that the fertility of the soil is well retained. I don't burn the leftover sugarcane and allow it to rot on the fields. I don't do inter-cultivation, but for the first year. Once the first-year crop is cut, I don't do anything and instead leave the leaves the way they remain. As the whole 300 acres is fed by drip water, it helps in the decay of the residue material, informs Rajasekhar Angadi.
Irrigation with the help of river canals: He also said that irrigation in the region is made possible through the irrigation canals. Water is lifted from these canals, while huge storage tanks are built in all the fields for usage throughout the year. I have built a lake on six acres of land to cater to the requirements of my 300 acres.
Lease of land on a percentage basis: Rajasekhar Angadi also disclosed that some portion of the land holdings is leased out on a sharing basis of the expenditure and income. This proportion also keeps changing in accordance with the types of crops. I keep doing the supervision, land development and other essential works required. About 40 people are working under me on a percentage-sharing basis. There are some 15 share-croppers right from the day I started agriculture, meaning to say that they have been with me for the past 35 years! If it is sugarcane, it'll be 20 per cent, while all the labour-related expenditure is borne by the share-cropper. The same 20 per cent sharing also applies to the fertiliser-related expenditure and harvesting expenses. It is 25 per cent for other crops, and 20 per cent of the profit is shared with the share-croppers. Even if any advance is given for expenditure, the same will be deducted from the profit.
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