The banana mulch that remains each time after the harvest has piled on to about a feet above the original soil level. “There is no weeding, no inputs, and no costs as it is a continuous self managed cycle that only requires harvesting,” adds Mr. Arunachalam. Vegetables such as ladies finger, brinjal, chilli, ridge gourd and pumpkin, papaya, green gram and black gram are grown as intercrops in the banana field and have fetched nearly Rs. 10,000. “If I can earn rupees six lakhs from my three acres in 365 days, without spending much on inputs, why not other farmers?” he asks. For more information, readers can contact Mr. V.S. Arunachalam, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Kulavikaradu, P.vellalapalayam,(po), Gobichettipalayam, Erode, Tamil Nadu, Pin:638476, mobile: 9443346323
Sustainable farming: low investment, maximum returns
by M.J. Prabu, The Hindu, 01 January, 2009