Port Blair, Mar 19: A teacher who moulded students for a better future is now showing the path of farming to the Islanders. Shri Dhirendra Nath Mistry, a retired teacher has created an integrated farming system in his allotted land is becoming a role model for innovation in agriculture.
The success story of Shri. Dhirendra Nath Mistry came into notice during the usual field visit of Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman/Secretary (RD/Panchayat) along with Shri Hari Kallikkat, IAS, SDM and Director (RD, PRIs & ULBs).
Talking to the officials he stated that he got inspired by “Mann Ki Baat” of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi and came up with the idea of integrated farming in his land by dividing his land into three parts, one each for, cultivating fish in artificially made water harvesting ponds, fruit-bearing trees and Rabi/Kharif cultivation.
For pisciculture, he constructed a pond of size 30 X 20 X 10 meters and is rearing variety of fish species. Among fruit-bearing trees there are arecanut, coconut, mango, papaya, banana, guava and cheeku and the third part of his land is used for cultivating vegetables. He also does poultry in which he rears hens and ducks. He follows the Broad Bed Furrow system.
The entire land was divided into many small patches with proper water-harvesting systems in between. Rain water is stored and utilized for all sorts of cultivation and his personal use, Shri. Dhirendra Nath Mistry said.
For adopting modern agriculture practises, he was also awarded the Best Farmer Award for the year 2017-18 and is earning a handsome income from his farm and is a role model for other such farmers of the Islands.
Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, appealed Shri. Dhirendra Nath Mistry to share his ideas in a larger platform to encourage peer-to-peer learning which will benefit all who are part of it. The need of the hour is to “Learn from each other and grow together”. DC (SA) assured all supports in this endeavour.
