It may be just a pilot project of youth cultivating rice on six acres. But it is just a beginning by Rajesh Naik with a few handful of youth. Based on the results of the project, he plans to put to use unused agricultural fields in Karnataka’s Kannada district.

Naik, a progressive organic farmer from Dakshina Kannada district, believes in youth power can rejuvenate paddy farming if a community model is followed.

Moment of inspiration To begin with, Rajesh Naik is planning the pilot with a few handful of youths on six acres of land this Sunday.

Based on the feedback for this project, he may plan accordingly.

The idea struck him last year when he was presiding over a programme to celebrate rural games in a village near Mangalore.

The event was organised by a youth association.

While participating, he asked the organisers to exhibit the same enthusiasm to rejuvenate farming in the region, and assured his full support.

“Dakshina Kannada district, which was once self-sufficient in paddy production, is now bringing more than three-fourths of its requirement from other regions. That’s when I thought it was apt to focus on paddy cultivation to motivate the youth and rejuvenate paddy farming,” he said.

Though farm land owners have come forward offering around 500 acres for paddy cultivation under this community farming model, he is now focussing on a youth association at Brahmarakootlu village, near the Mangalore-Bangalore highway, for his pilot project.

“The lack of farming has led to the growth of weed in many fields. The land will remain fertile, if it is under cultivation,” Naik said.

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