Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Dec 2: An elderly man from Khonmoh area has, for the first time, cultivated lotus stem (Nadru) away from Dal Lake after converting his paddy field into a full-fledged Nadru farm.
Abdul Ahad Wani, 70, a retired government employee in the Animal Husbandry Department, told Excelsior that he was yielding nothing from his one kanal of paddy land due to various factors, compelling him to think out-of-the-box, aiming for effective use of his land.
“The land had too much water, which was not suitable for paddy or any other cultivation. Then I thought of cultivating Nadru, for which I obtained the necessary seed and started the journey of transformation to derive something worthwhile from the land,” Wani said.
He mentioned that the change augured well, and in the first year of cultivation, 8 quintals of lotus stem were produced.
“Currently, I am in the second year of this transformative cultivation of lotus stem; this year, so far, I have been able to produce nearly 2 quintals, which will increase in the days to come as the harvesting continues.”
Regarding prices, he mentioned that he has been selling lotus stem at Rs 150 per kilogram, noting that the majority of the produce has been consumed by people living in the area.
Concerning the level of water and other maintenance, and the sowing of the seed, Wani said that the seed is to be sown just once, and after that, nothing needs to be done apart from minimal regular maintenance and upkeep.
“The water level of 2-4 inches has to be maintained; it does not need anything beyond that. There is some hard work when the produce is ready to be taken out and nothing before and after that,” he said.
He added: “The water flow has to be stopped from September till March, as it is the period suitable for harvesting, and then from March till right until next September, we have to maintain the water level.”
“Farming has been my hobby, and I always wanted to delve more into it. I got the chance after retirement; what I did was something that came from God. It has benefited me, and I am sure others would benefit as well. The returns are in cash, with no need for extensive upkeep or pesticides or fertilizers,” he said.
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