Trichy: It is unlikely that one gets to meet a farmer who is chiefly devoted to good health of the general public, that too at a time when agriculture is not the most preferred career option of even farming communities. But K Govindaraj, 41, claims to be one such farmer who has chosen his crops and even sells them with the larger public good in mind.A native of Kovandakuruchi near Pullambadi in Trichy, Govindaraj says he selected traditional varieties of paddy so that they are helpful to ailing patients. He has been cultivating Basmathi, Seeraga samba, Iluppai Poo samba, Kuzhi Vedichan, Sorna Masuri, Karuppu Kavuni and Karung kuruvai on his 2.5 acres of land at his village. “I cultivate Iluppai Poo samba which helps those having knee pain. Karung kuruvai will heal lymphatic filariasis and Karuppu Kavuni is the major ingredient for siddha medicine”, he said.“These traditional varieties are resistant to diseases and can withstand drought as well as floods and also give a good yield of 25 to 30 bags, each weighing 60 kg. About 5 kg of seeds is enough for sowing in the nursery. The seedlings can be transplanted within 20 days instead of 30-40 days for hybrid varieties”, he further said. Unlike hybrid varieties, he does not sell the paddy immediately. He dries, stores and mills them every month and sells them in small quantities to the general public for medicinal purpose. When compared to ordinary rice, organic rice can be sold at prices ranging from Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kg.Govindaraj had worked for about 12 years in various parts of India and the gulf countries before returning to India and starting paddy cultivation on his 5-acre ancestral land in 2012. While he was hospitalised for a minor surgery, he understood that a large number of patients were suffering from lifestyle diseases mainly because of their food habits. “It was then that I thought about doing something and adopted organic farming. Since then I have been cultivating more nutritious and traditional rice varieties that suit traditional cultivation methods even now”, Govindaraj, added.He has also been using oil cakes for the crops using seeds with medicinal value such as bassia latifolia, neem, castrol and Pungan, he added. Vouching for organic farming, he says farmers need not spend much on water and inputs and at the same time it ensured a good yield. He uses green manure, cow dung, Amirtha Karaisal, panchakavya and fish acid. “For all these, I spend Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 an acre. Whereas, for a hybrid crop like Andhra Ponni, we have to spend from Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000 for the same area of land”, he said.Govindaraj has also faced no difficulty in selling his produce thanks to the high demand. “People are ready to consume nutritious, organic grains to avert high medical bills,” he added. An ardent disciple of green crusader G Nammalvar, the organic farmer is also rearing country chicken, cows and goats. He has planted many rare varieties of trees in his garden in order to preserve them for the future, he added.

Stay updated with all the Latest Trichy headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.