Pune: In a remarkable display of hard work and meticulous planning, farmer couple Ishwar Gaikar and Sonali Gaikar from Pachghar in Junnar taluka have achieved astounding success with their tomato crop. Through their diligent efforts, they have earned a whopping income of two crore three lakh rupees from their twelve-acre tomato cultivation over the course of just two months.
Both Ishwar and Sonali are educated up to the 12th standard. Ishwar took charge of providing all the necessary raw materials and tools required for farming, while Sonali, armed with her 12th science education, focused on planning the workforce, monitoring weather patterns, and other essential aspects of farming. The couple has been cultivating tomatoes for several years, benefiting from the guidance of agricultural experts Sanjay Navale and Gopinath Diwekar.
This year, in April, they planted an impressive 60,000 tomato plants of the 6242 Sigenta variety across their twelve-acre plot. Their careful planning and strategic approach paid off when the tomatoes began to bear fruit, and favorable market conditions led to a surge in tomato prices. Their produce quickly entered the market, catapulting them into the realm of millionaires.
It is worth noting that their success story is not without challenges. Adverse weather conditions posed a setback two years ago in 2021, when they invested around 16 to 17 lakhs, on their tomato crop. They got success in 2022 when they yielded nearly 20 lakhs in 2022 alone.
For the current season, the couple spent around 40 lakhs on essential resources such as water, fertilizers, medicines, spraying, and labor for tending to their 60,000 tomato plants. To date, they have harvested 15 thousand carats of tomatoes, amounting to a staggering income of 2 crore 30 lakh rupees. With prices ranging from Rs. 660 to Rs. 2311 per carat, the couple remains content with their success in both the market and overall income.
Ishwar and Sonali express their gratitude to their father, Tukaram Gaikar, for his constant support throughout their journey, as well as for providing invaluable guidance on cultivating good agricultural practices.
