Farmers have a long-standing tradition of providing food to the community, often without seeking significant financial gain for their labour. A recent example of this noble spirit emerges from Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. Ramanna Saphalya, who resides in Karinja Munnoor, Badagundi, is growing vegetables along the Mangalore-Kadur National Highway-73 area. His heartwarming act of kindness involves providing free vegetables to a nearby government school.
When the highway road expansion project extended to Punjalakatta, farmer Ramanna Saphalya’s farmland in Badagundi was acquired. Ramanna, a dedicated farmer, responded by creatively planting vegetables using bags attached to the roadside fence. For the past three years, he has been cultivating these vegetables along the highway and generously distributing them for mid-day meals without any cost.
Saphalya has planted vegetable crops in bags, creating a picturesque scene along a stretch of about one and a half kilometres on the highway. Ramanna, tending to over 160 flourishing okra plants, reaps a daily harvest of approximately four to five kilograms of okra from this expansive setup. In addition, he willingly offers vegetables to those in need at affordable prices.
For the past quarter-century, Ramanna has been dedicated to vegetable cultivation, with a particular focus on the renowned crop of okra. He firmly believes in the nutritional advantages of okra, a vegetable that holds a special place in the culinary traditions of Dakshina Kannada, frequently gracing festive menus. In addition to okra, Ramanna also actively cultivates alasande.
His altruistic spirit is evident in his reaction to concerns about possible vegetable theft from his roadside farm. Interestingly, there hasn’t been a single instance of vegetables being stolen over all these years. Ramanna firmly holds the belief that if someone takes the vegetables, it’s because they genuinely need them. Talking to News18, he said, “They aren’t taking them to squander; they’re using them for a good purpose, and that brings me equal satisfaction."
Ramanna is taking the initiative in establishing a vegetable oasis along the highway, where he selflessly offers free vegetables to both youngsters and fellow travellers who appreciate the goodness of fresh greens.