He is a pontiff with a difference. Gurupadlinga Shivayogi swamiji of Mutyan Babalad Mutt, 15 km away from Gulbarga, loves agriculture.
![]( "The pontiff at work. Photo by author")
From ploughing to harvesting, he is involved in most of the farm-related activities on the 25 acres of land that his Mutt owns.
Th pontiff grows many crops including vegetables, fruits, turmeric, etc.
He started off with seven acres of land. Born into a farming family, it was but natural for him to take up agriculture. After he became pontiff, he bought 15 acres and started to raise commercial crops. He believed in organic farming and began to create awareness about organic methods of agriculture amongst his devotees.
His is a story that has inspired many. On 2.5 acres, he grows horticultural crops such as grapes and watermelon. Last year, he cultivated watermelon and earned Rs. 1.5 lakh that year. This year, on the same land, he planted papaya and gained Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Apart from this, the pontiff has been regularly growing grapes on seven acres from the last eight years. Usually, farmers sell grapes directly in the market and get the price that traders fix. The pontiff decided on processing grapes into raisins. "When I grew grapes in the first year, I sold it at Rs. 2.5 per kilo. It was later that I realised raising production was more profitable," explains the swamiji.
Raisin production has amounted to about four tons per acre. The total yield adds up to about 28 to 30 tons. Processing, grading and packing are done by women labourers in a systematic manner. Pure and golden coloured raisins are packed and sent to cold storages in Tasgaon of Sangli district in Maharashtra. The pontiff keeps himself updated on the market situation and sells raisins once they fetch a good price.
Turmeric is a sensitive crop and its post-harvesting and processing procedures require a lot of attention and care. Typically, there is a lot of reluctance among farmers, especially of Gulbarga district, to grow it. But the risk taker that he is, Gurupadalinga swamiji decided to take up the challenge and cultivated turmeric on two acres of land. Processing is also taken up.
The pontiff believes in sustainable agriculture. A bio-digester has been constructed in which liquid manure is produced and used for all types of crops. A gobar gas plant is also used for many purposes including cooking, manure and compost. A solar fence protects his irrigated land. There is a computerised water system, which manages water flow for different types of crops.
"Due to labour shortage, it was inevitable to install this system. The quantity of water for every crop can be controlled at the click of a few buttons, sitting right here," he explains.
From ploughing to harvesting, he is involved in most of the farm-related activities on the 25 acres of land that his Mutt owns. Th pontiff grows many crops including vegetables, fruits, turmeric, etc.
He started off with seven acres of land. Born into a farming family, it was but natural for him to take up agriculture. After he became pontiff, he bought 15 acres and started to raise commercial crops. He believed in organic farming and began to create awareness about organic methods of agriculture amongst his devotees.
His is a story that has inspired many. On 2.5 acres, he grows horticultural crops such as grapes and watermelon. Last year, he cultivated watermelon and earned Rs. 1.5 lakh that year. This year, on the same land, he planted papaya and gained Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Apart from this, the pontiff has been regularly growing grapes on seven acres from the last eight years. Usually, farmers sell grapes directly in the market and get the price that traders fix. The pontiff decided on processing grapes into raisins. "When I grew grapes in the first year, I sold it at Rs. 2.5 per kilo. It was later that I realised raising production was more profitable," explains the swamiji.
Raisin production has amounted to about four tons per acre. The total yield adds up to about 28 to 30 tons. Processing, grading and packing are done by women labourers in a systematic manner. Pure and golden coloured raisins are packed and sent to cold storages in Tasgaon of Sangli district in Maharashtra. The pontiff keeps himself updated on the market situation and sells raisins once they fetch a good price.
Turmeric is a sensitive crop and its post-harvesting and processing procedures require a lot of attention and care. Typically, there is a lot of reluctance among farmers, especially of Gulbarga district, to grow it. But the risk taker that he is, Gurupadalinga swamiji decided to take up the challenge and cultivated turmeric on two acres of land. Processing is also taken up.
The pontiff believes in sustainable agriculture. A bio-digester has been constructed in which liquid manure is produced and used for all types of crops. A gobar gas plant is also used for many purposes including cooking, manure and compost. A solar fence protects his irrigated land. There is a computerised water system, which manages water flow for different types of crops.
"Due to labour shortage, it was inevitable to install this system. The quantity of water for every crop can be controlled at the click of a few buttons, sitting right here," he explains.