Pune: Progressive farming continues to shine as Balasaheb Karpe, a farmer from Takali Bhima in Shirur taluka, demonstrated remarkable success in coriander cultivation.

Karpe, along with his four sons, cultivated coriander on just 50 gunthas of land, yielding a remarkable profit of ₹8.5 lakh. To celebrate this achievement, the Karpe family organized a joyous celebration in their field.

The coriander was sown in August using 20 kg of Ashoka variety seeds under the guidance of agricultural expert Vishal Khedkar, director of Morya Agro in Shikrapur.

Sprinkler irrigation was employed to ensure optimal water supply. After a month of diligent care, the crop matured, producing 15,000 bundles of coriander.

The crop was sold at top market prices, with traders from Sadguru Vegetable Company in Manchar, led by Aadesh Pokharkar, personally visiting the farm to negotiate the rates.

Efficient Farming Practices

Karpe credits the success to efficient planning and the use of organic fertilizers. The family used two trailers of poultry manure during soil preparation, and three rounds of pesticide spraying were applied to protect the crop.

The total investment in the crop was ₹40,000, and thanks to proper irrigation and management, the coriander harvest exceeded expectations.

"This success shows that with proper planning, minimal investment, and timely harvesting, farmers can reap significant profits, especially when market prices are favorable," Karpe said.

His success has caught the attention of other farmers in the area, who are now seeking advice on adopting similar practices.