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Solapur farmer Somnath Jokare's innovative custard apple cultivation is highly profitable
Somnath Jokare, a farmer in Solapur district, has been caring for the plants carefully for three years, including using fungicides to protect the fruits and intercropping with onions and groundnuts
The NMK 1 Golden variety grown by Somnath Jokare from Solapur in Maharashtra has proven to be highly profitable and gives good returns. Jokare began experiments with soursop in 2020.
The NMK 1 Golden variety is known for its resilience to low water conditions and extended shelf life, which is a game changer. Each fruit weighs 500 to 600 grams and its cold hardiness protects it from pests and diseases. This also contributed to its success.
For three years, Chocare has carefully cared for the plants, including using fungicides to protect the fruit and intercropping with onions and peanuts.
In the first year, Chaukhare earned Rs 2 lakh selling custard apples at the Krishi Upaj Bazar Samiti in Solapur. The fruit is sold at Rs 50-60 per kg. Like Solapur district in Maharashtra, Beed, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Satara and Bhandara districts also produce custard apples in large quantities .
Encouraged by these results, Jokare expects profits to be even higher this year. Jokare's success highlights the potential of innovative agricultural technologies and carefully selected crop varieties to overcome the challenges of traditional farming.
His story provides inspiration to fellow farmers facing financial hardship, showing that strategic experimentation and adaptation can lead to impressive financial results.
