In an inspiring tale of agricultural innovation, Swati Kendre, a resident of Balawadi village in Bhor taluka, Pune, has transformed traditional farming into a lucrative venture by adopting modern methods. Swati, assisted by her husband Amit Dnyaneshwar, initially engaged in traditional farming but later ventured into cultivating Gerbera flowers on their 30 Guntha (over 30,000 square feet) land.
With her husband’s support and encouragement to embrace cash farming, they constructed polyhouses and implemented advanced farming techniques, including the use of chemical fertilizers, manure, weed control, water management, pesticides, and organic bacterial fertilizers. The couple’s decision to focus on Gerbera flowers, known for their high demand, has proven to be a profitable choice.
Before planting 18 thousand Gerbera plants, the couple employs meticulous preparation, mixing one-and-a-half tonnes of paddy husk and 25 trolleys of cow dung into the field. After ploughing the field extensively, they create beds and plant thousands of Gerbera saplings, specifically the rice and shine Gerbera variety. Swati Kendre’s success showcases how modern farming practices can bring prosperity to traditional occupations and open new avenues for income generation in rural areas.
