Page 55 - Mann ki Baat English Feb 2026

paddy cultivation, and he also
faced repeated losses in tomato
farming. However, through his
hard work and innovation, he
developed a model of integrated
farming, which has now become
an example for farmers across
the country. Speaking about this
journey, Hirod Patel says:
“Earlier, my parents practiced
intercropping on one acre of
land. Because of limited space,
they used to grow vegetables.
Watching them inspired me. In
2018, I got an opportunity from
the Horticulture Department to
visit Jalgaon (Maharashtra).
I was very impressed to see
banana cultivation there… After
seeing it, I also tried it on a trial mesh structure over the ponds
basis and earned good profits.” and started growing climbing
To further increase his vegetables on it. This meant that
profits, Hirod got two ponds dug fruits, vegetables, and fish were
in 2020 and started fish farming all produced in the same space.
in them. On the embankments As a result, not only was the land
of the ponds, he planted used more efficiently, but water
guava, papaya, and ber trees. was also conserved. Hirod says:
His biggest innovation came “Our farm is also visited
when he built a strong iron by farmers who come to the

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