New cultivation technique boosts castor crop yield in Gujarat.
Gujarat based castor farmer has used organic fertilizers for castor crop cultivation and has reaped nearly six to eight tons of crop compared to four tons by others, with minimal amount being spent. He hopes that organic cultivation will help him reap atleast 20 quintals of castor seeds by the end of the season.
Initially the farmer had experimented this technique with a variety of paddy and had success. Later he tried the technique with castor crop and cultivated Palem Hybrid Castor EI-111 variety after consultation with the scientists in that region and now he has succeeded.
Agriculture department officials have predicted good price for the organically cultivated castor oil in the market. Government has allotted funds exclusively for vermicompost units to enable farmers cut costs and earn profits. These have enabled more farmers to shift to natural farming.