Success in Establishing Early Planting of Pumpkin as a Highly Profitable Venture

Pumpkin cultivation in Assam typically begins in October. However, Mr. Kalita decided to pre-pone the sowing period to July in order to secure better market prices. Along with three other young farmers, he formed a group named Jyotikrishi Farm, and together, they began cultivating pumpkin along the banks of the Pagladia River in Chengnoi village, Nalbari district. Their early planting method proved to be highly successful, allowing them to earn Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 60 lakh annually from pumpkin farming alone.

The early planting of pumpkins in July-August, particularly in silt-deposited areas near the river, was beneficial in reducing irrigation costs due to the low water retention capacity of the soil. The timing also allowed them to take advantage of high market demand when pumpkins were scarce. Encouraged by this success, the group expanded their activities, incorporating other vegetables, bananas, papayas, and flowers, further increasing their income.

Pioneering Floriculture in Nalbari District

In 2009-2010, Mr. Kalita ventured into the field of floriculture by starting the scientific cultivation of tuberose on a small plot of 0.026 hectares. This initial experiment proved to be successful, earning him Rs. 45,000. Over the years, he expanded his floriculture operations, growing a variety of flowers including gerbera, gladiolus, and marigold. By 2012, his flower cultivation area had increased to 0.5 hectares, and his earnings from both flowers and planting material reached over Rs. 3 lakhs.

The proximity of Nalbari district to Guwahati, the state capital, proved advantageous for marketing his flowers. As flower cultivation, especially tuberose, was relatively new to the region, there was little competition, making it easier for Mr. Kalita to sell his produce. In 2012, he expanded his floriculture area to 2 bighas, incorporating Gerbera as a new flower crop. With continuous support from KVK Nalbari and the District Agriculture Office, Mr. Kalita attended various training programs, both in Assam and outside the state, to enhance his farming knowledge.

By 2014, he had expanded his tuberose cultivation to 1 hectare, further cementing his position as a leading figure in floriculture. In recognition of his achievements, he was conferred the title of “The Flower Man” by a reputed private school in Guwahati in 2015

In addition to flowers, Mr. Kalita also ventured into the cultivation of cucumber, ridge gourd, and ash gourd using scientific farming techniques. With his focus on innovation, he consistently earned around Rs. 10,00,000 per hectare of land.