This Kerala farmer is reshaping the farming landscape by using scientific methods and digital technology in farming that include developing high-yield hybrid variety saplings in his own tissue culture lab.
Darwin P Mathew, 41, of Seethathode in Pathanamthitta is spearheading a transformative movement towards sustainable farming by using the latest technology in farming. A passionate farmer right from his childhood days, Darwin decided to take up farming in a big way after he saw huge potential for implementing a business model backed by scientific and digital technology.
“We should do away with conventional farming methods and embrace technology to minimise input costs. Farming becomes profitable only if we systematically follow certain procedures. Controlling input costs is the main factor in making farming profitable,” Darwin said, adding that he took large tracts on land for lease in Theni, Tamil Nadu for experimenting with his farming model which has turned out to be a success.
“Labour cost consumes a lot of capital in farming. We have used digital technology for farming. My farm is using an irrigation system which can be controlled using a smartphone,” said Darwin, who did his graduation in economics. His farm uses only high yield pest-resistant banana saplings which his company’s tissue culture lab has developed. “We are also into sales of saplings from our lab.
Our lab also develops different varieties of ornamental plants which are high in demand in the market. Beyond financial benefits, our farming model promotes sustainable practices,” he claims. “We are also in a development of a sales network for the farm produce, totally eliminating middlemen. We will decide the price for each product and directly sell it to the customer for the specified price,” he added.
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