Homemaker turns floriculturist, earns well

Hubballi: Seema, a homemaker in Hubballi purchased 42 gunta land two years ago to fulfil her long-pending wish of involving in agriculture/ floriculture. Though her family did not have any experience in farming, she encouraged her husband Rajan Anvekar, a civil engineer, and her daughters to get into floriculture.
In 2018, they bought the land at Rayanal on the outskirts of Hubballi and got trained by horticulture experts. The family now earns Rs 2,500 per day by growing the ‘Taj Mahal’ variety of rose there.
Seema told TOI that they also sell the coconuts, mangoes and other fruits grown there by engaging two full-time labourers. “Despite discouragment that agriculture is not profitable, we bought the land. We approached horticulture officials and got guidance and also 45% subsidy for a polyhouse (place to grow nursery). We faced difficuluty when Rayanal lake breached, submerging our land. But we did not give up,” she said.
Rajan added that they planted 15,000 saplings on 16 gunta land. “My engineering knowledge helped me in installing drips and pipelines. “We planted saplings on May 19 and hired full-time labourer-couple to work here. Our family members joined them on weekends. Now, we pack 500 flowers scientifically and send them to market every morning. By selling each of these export-quality flowers at Rs 5, we get Rs 2,500 per day — that is Rs 75,000 a month. Additional income comes by selling coconut, mango, etc, and this helps us in paying the labourers. As there was not much sale during the lockdown, we donated the flowers to religious centers of Hubballi,” he explained.
Vijay Kumar Ryagi, senior assistant horticulture director (Hubballi), said many think that agriculture/ horticulture is not profitable. “However, Anvekar family has become a role model to motivate others, especially youths, to practise agriculture. Our department is open for all enthusiasts to guide and provide possible help,” he added.