Pune: Vandana Santosh Gunjal, a farmer from Bori Budruk in Junnar, has successfully undertaken the cultivation of American zucchini, a nutrient-rich leafy vegetable known for its health benefits, including the regulation of heartbeats and blood pressure.
Gunjal, overcoming personal loss and adversity, achieved this feat on just 20 gunthas (half an acre) of land.
In the first harvest, Gunjal produced 163 zucchini pieces (30 kilograms), with each dark green, cucumber-like fruit weighing approximately 200 grams and fetching a market price of ₹15 per piece.
The zucchini, known for its health benefits, has already found its way to five-star hotels in Pune and Mumbai.
Vandana Gunjal, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, faced personal challenges after her husband’s passing. However, she persevered, continuing to manage 15 acres of farmland. With a passion for farming, Gunjal regularly experiments with different crops.
She stays updated on modern farming techniques by attending agricultural exhibitions, where she first learned about zucchini at an event in Pune. After studying its cultivation in detail, she began the project with the support of her family.
Her zucchini farming efforts have been bolstered by her family’s assistance, particularly her mother-in-law Minakshi, father-in-law Ganpat Gunjal, and son Omkar, who have played a key role in the process.
Zucchini Farming Method:
Beds were spaced five feet apart.
Manure was applied, and mulching paper was laid with the help of a tractor.
1,500 seeds were planted at three-foot intervals.
Organic pesticides were sprayed.
Planting began on August 30.
Characteristics of Zucchini:
Rich in nutrients.
Short, bushy plants.
Resembles cucumbers, with dark green, light green, or greyish fruits.
The crop takes 40 days from planting to harvest.
The cultivation cost for zucchini is estimated at ₹25,000 to ₹30,000, with projected profits of ₹90,000 to ₹1,00,000 per season after deducting expenses.
The vegetable has a strong market demand in urban areas, and Gunjal expects to harvest around three tons of produce in the coming season.