Strategic thinking, creative writing
  • About
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • English laundry
  • Free Trial
  • Clients
  • Blog

Let's converse

Romesh the farmer leads the vegetable way to progress

25/5/2019

8 Comments

 
THE UNSEEN FACES SERIES: 2. ROMESH
Picture
Tomatoes are important. Ask Romesh Kumar, a farmer in Pachote village in Chenani, Udhampur, Jammu.
“When we formed groups to try out new techniques to cultivate vegetables and flowers, women farmers from Mandlote village thought it was a joke,” Romesh remembered. They had never been able to cultivate vegetables in Mandlote. So, how were they, some of them helpless widows with children, expected to believe Romesh?
Believe they did! In a few months, thanks to the support and encouragement from fellow farmers led by Romesh, they produced enough tomatoes to eat at home.
“That was the turning point! From hand-to-mouth survival on maize and the occasional kadam (a local leafy vegetable; Kohlrabi) they now had the luxury of eating fresh tomatoes during family meals!” Romesh said.
Of course, Romesh had his own doubts, too. So, he decided to experiment. “I planted 1,300 tomato saplings in about one kanal (eight kanals make one acre). I put to use all the new techniques I had learnt. I ended up getting about 40 quintals of tomatoes!”
For a traditional farmer, used to the same manual methods for at least four generations, it was a miracle to end up with that much produce, mound after mound of luscious tomatoes!
The traditional farmer in Romesh continued to be sceptical when he went on to plant capsicum. “Nobody has ever grown capsicum in my village on a commercial scale. So, I decided to take a chance with just four lines of plants.”
It was a “gigantic” success! The capsicums weighed 250 gm each on an average. Romesh the modern farmer was born; so was Romesh the guide and mentor to fellow farmers.
Picture
From farmer to leader
Born in 1983, as the oldest of three brothers and a sister, Romesh had to give up school during grade 9. “My father was finding it difficult to manage everything. So, I joined him and picked up farming.”
He is happy that his brothers were able to complete school. And he will ensure that his two sons (12, 5) get good education. “Maybe if I were more educated, I would have learnt all these new things faster and better.”
“Not so long ago, after putting in a lot of hard work across 10  kanals, we would barely get ₹ 1 lakh a year. Now, if you follow the right techniques, you can get the same income from just one or two kanals. It is not a matter of luck, just simple, systematic effort using scientific methods.”
The 50 farmers Romesh has guided to prosperity so far are happy to agree.
The project that taught and supported farmers like Romesh to cultivate vegetables and flowers was discontinued in October 2018. Romesh goes on. Without all the institutional and expert support, is it worth the extra effort?
“Some five years ago, we all started learning together, thanks to the project. Lessons were taught to groups of farmers, demonstrations were given to groups, benefits were given to groups. Individually, none of us could afford to buy a diesel plough. Together we did and that too with government subsidy. We took turns to plough our land. When all of us use our resources like land and water the right way, the benefits are multiplied for every family. Every child eats better and gets the chance to study well. We have to just keep going, try to do better, support one another. I am grateful I was given this opportunity.”
His initiatives to help others made him a popular candidate for the local body elections. Not surprisingly, he won the Ward Panch position in December 2018.
Picture
Being the bridge to benefit
Today, he is an important bridge between various government departments and his fellow farmers. He understands the needs of the farmers in different villages. He recommends beneficiaries for government subsidies and schemes including those for seeds and home.
How does he pick a beneficiary? “I verify that the beneficiary has a genuine need and the willingness to make full use of the benefit within the prescribed deadline. Else, they would be denying someone else an opportunity.”
His days are longer now, and he has to walk longer distances. What else has changed?
“I have never felt that I am someone special. I am one of them, another farmer. We have all been through difficult times. Now, a few of us have seen some success. All I am doing is sharing a little knowledge, giving them a little confidence. So that more of us can succeed.”
Ashishkumar Patel, a development professional, who worked with Romesh through the duration of project, said: “Projects may start and end. But it takes a hardworking local person to assume the leadership role to ensure its success during and, more importantly, after the project is over. I am happy to have witnessed Romesh’s growth. Now, his personal mission is to continue to work for everyone’s success. I am sure Romesh will achieve greater success in this project.”
As usual, Romesh’s day had started before the sun rose. Now, before it gets too hot, he is gearing up for a regular trek, with his brothers who are his co-farmers and a couple of neighbours. They load some crates and gunny bags full of capsicums and tomatoes on two mules. The rest they carry on their heads and shoulders. They have a testing kilometre and half to cover, all uphill.
Once they reach the highway, the produce will travel to the market. And Romesh will proceed to a  meeting with the government officers and community members.
Picture

THE UNSEEN FACES SERIES: 1: GUS
8 Comments
Ashish Patel
28/5/2019 03:15:59 pm

Nice story about journey of an average farmer to a village leader. This story can be an inspiration to many more such farmers who have desire to do something good not only for himself but also for the community.

Reply
Vijay link
29/5/2019 08:45:22 am

Thanks, Ashish! If you think it will help, perhaps you might want to translate this for more farmers to read?

Reply
Rita Singh
28/5/2019 04:55:23 pm

Great!!! Poor farmers will now not only earn good money but will be able to produce educated farmers in their own family and community. The waste land will be used and poverty will have to be erased.

Reply
Vijay link
29/5/2019 08:47:58 am

Thanks, Rita! Indeed, sharing knowledge is the most productive way to move towards a better quality of life for all.

Reply
Gus Mendonca
28/5/2019 06:31:38 pm

Delighted to read about Romesh and his selfless task of improving the qulaity of the collective produce / financial status of his fellow farmers. Just goes to prove that the power of one dedicated individual with a clear vision can bring about a miraculous transformation of society. Truly......faith - hope- sincere efforts - trust pay off in the end.

Reply
Vijay link
29/5/2019 08:49:31 am

Very well put, Gus! Evidently, that transformation can happen in any field.

Reply
Jigisha
29/5/2019 09:16:56 am

It's indeed an inspirational true story! If we get more and more farmers to transform into Romesh's form than India is not far from becoming a super economy in the world.

Reply
Vijay link
29/5/2019 10:36:23 am

You are right, Jigisha. Even if everyone cannot become a Romesh, if he inspires and converts others, that will be a big step forward.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Vijayakumar Kotteri

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Book Extract
    Cancer
    Community Support
    Compassionate Care
    Covid 19
    Covid-19
    CSR
    Customer Care
    Death And Life
    Film Based
    Film-based
    Human Relations
    Musings
    On Communications
    On Writing
    Organ Donation
    Pallitiave Care
    Published Story Extracts
    Stories On The Go
    Unseen Faces

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016

    Earlier posts
Picture
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT
BLOG WRITING
ENGLISH LAUNDRY
COACHING IN WRITING
PICK WHAT YOU NEED

© 1996-2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
​PRIVACY POLICY
  • About
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • English laundry
  • Free Trial
  • Clients
  • Blog