SALEM: For the first time, a farmer in rural Salem has brought together 5,000 farmers in Salem district, launched farmers clubs, created exclusive apps for farming tips, blended hi-tech with organic agriculture and is all set to export organic vegetables from Salem to various countries.
A quiet, but a path-breaking farming revolution has unfolded in pastoral Salem over the last decade. And the farmer behind this agricultural boom in Salem, 54-year-old S. Jayaraman has bagged the coveted best innovative farmer award in the country for the year 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture. At a function in Delhi in March, the Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented him with the prestigious award. “For the first time, a farmer from TN has been honoured with the best innovative farmer award. I am really elated,” Jayaraman told the DC.
For Jayaraman, a chemistry graduate, farming is strictly organic with no chemical pesticides or fertilisers. “Jayaraman is a model farmer. Agriculture is witnessing remarkable growth in Salem now. He also rears cattle in his farm,” said joint director of agriculture, N.Elango.
A few years ago, when scores of farmers where selling off their lands to realtors because of crop losses, Jayaraman hit upon a novel initiative to turn agriculture into a lucrative career.
