Innovative seedling farm bears bright prospect
Seed is the greatest need to produce crop. Often it's regarded as a challenge. The perspectives of challenge in this key agricultural input is often discussed and criticized. Farmers have overcome many crises. However, they are yet to overcome the crisis of seed. It still remains. They are always complaining that there is no good quality seed. In every episode of this year's Krishi Budget Krishoker Budget (agriculture budget meant for farmers), farmers demanded good quality seeds like every other year. It means the difficulty sustains. They claim, seeds they get from BADC don't germinate properly.
I get to hear about such complaints often. No germination means loss of all the crops in a season. It is tough to claim beforehand if the seed is going to germinate or not. On the other hand, if you buy seedlings from a nursery, there is a risk of its getting ruined while planting. Farmers want to be rescued from this crisis. Above everything else, farmers want good quality seeds and seedlings and it is our duty to provide those.
I heard about a company that produces great quality vegetable seedlings in Rangpur. The name of the company is Nashik Plant and Pot. Reaching Syedpur airport, a young vibrant man came to receive me. He is Shahinur Rahman, a very spirited agro-entrepreneur, with whom I had chats over phone. It was the first time we were meeting.
Our car started for Rangpur's Mithapukur upazila's Ranipukur village. While going there, we saw the endless landscape of green fields. They are unfortunately filled with tobacco plants, not vegetables. Plenty of tobacco is being produced. However, vegetable cultivation has also increased. There is not a single piece of land left to be cultivated on. When farmers are done with one crop, they start another one.
On our way, Shahinur Rahman shared about his love for farming. He was highly inspired to take on farming, watching Mati O Manush on BTV since his childhood. He also studied agriculture. Everything was going great. However, when he was about to marry, a trouble arose. When his parents arranged his marriage, the family of the girl didn't agree to let their daughter marry someone who is involved with farming. Later on, he got a job at an international seed distribution company. Then, he married the same girl.
At his job, he came to learn the modern trends and trades of farming. After researching thoroughly, he saw that farmers' main demand is good quality seed. Another thing he realized was farmers want not only good quality seeds but also good quality seedlings, the seedlings which will totally ensure production. It takes 20 days at least to make seedlings from seeds. If farmers directly get seedlings then they would save those 20 days. From that thought, he along with five of his friends started the company, Nashik.
When I reached Nashik Plant and Pot, the sun was shining bright. Seeing a pure green sight, we were mesmerized. It was one step ahead of typical and traditional state of it. This company of a group of young entrepreneurs tells the tale how farming can be very much planned and neat in process in a changed new state. They started this commercial institution thinking about the future of agriculture. Already, I could see great possibilities at Nashik.
The way developed countries have taken agriculture to a planned and sophisticated stage by making planned greenhouses, this is just the same. You can call it a seedling producing enterprise. Gourd, bitter gourd, papaya, red lady papaya, chili etc are being produced. Everything is organized at different levels. These entrepreneurs are not lagging behind in using technology for producing seedling. However, seedlings are not being produced in a greenhouse here, they are being produced in net house, under shades. The shades protect the seedlings from excessive sunlight.
The main purpose is to provide 100% healthy seedlings instead of seeds. The stage of experiment is over. Now, they are commercially producing it and handing the seedlings over to farmers. The whole farm is working like an entity. There are many stages in between, from the start to the end point, marketing.
Six entrepreneurs have dreams of future agriculture in their eyes. In their hearts, they have great love for agriculture. They also had to go through many troubles to reach today's state. They always tried to follow farming methods of the developed countries. However, the first equipment to produce this seedling is a 'tray' for keeping the seedlings. That was tough to make, says Shahinur. There was no company that he didn't approach for it. Then he researched himself and made it. Then, after overcoming many obstacles, he saw his dream come true in 2013. After starting, he had to face many challenges. These six young entrepreneurs are having new experiences every day.
Many people made fun of it when they started the seedling net house. However, today, it is very profitable and everyone regards this as a great and successful initiative. After coming a long way, the entrepreneurs of Nashik are now able to ensure the health of the produced seedlings and farmers' benefit.
Instead of soil, coco-pit is being used for producing seedlings. Many women of the village work here. The division of work follows the pattern practised in a factory. Some are filling trays with coco-pit. Some are creating holes in it. Some are planting seeds. As it is a net house, there is no chance of diseases. Temperature is also controlled. I met many farmers in the farm. They have come from far away to buy seedlings. They have already gotten great results by planting the seedlings of this farm in their fields. They claimed that these seedlings ensure good yield as they are strong enough to grow.
Not only the seedlings are produced in a scientific and modern way, these entrepreneurs have also made a modern commercial infrastructure to market the seedlings. To reach these seedlings to the doorstep of farmers, they are working with potential dealers who would provide healthy seedlings to farmers.
The marginal farmer families have gotten involved in the seedling producing job, as well. By getting the opportunity to work, men and women of the rural areas are benefited. Behind this grand arrangement, lie combined thought process and creativity. All of the entrepreneurs are zealous and visionary. They have good knowledge about commercial agriculture. In this case, they have experience gathered from home and abroad, scientific expertise and dedication to agriculture.
Agriculture is moving ahead meeting the need of time. Considering farmers' rights along with customers' rights, multipurpose commercial initiatives are being added. They are trying to decrease risks and losses in agriculture, making agriculture works reasonably profitable to farmers. In this case, this initiative called Nashik Plant and Pot is a rosy and successful project. If they are successful in achieving their goals, many farmers of the country will be able to get the services of this modern nursery. We hope that such initiatives will expand more with the help of educated young entrepreneurs.