Farming Pays Off: Cicil Chandran Wins 2024 State Hi-Tech Farmer Award

quick Summary

• Cicil Chandran J.C., a 61-year-old farmer from plamoottukada in Thiruvananthapuram district, has won the 2024 State Farm Award for Best Hi-tech Farmer.
• He left his job at Milma 30 years ago too pursue farming full-time, describing it as a highly rewarding profession.
• His integrated farming operations include automated polyhouse farming of capsicum,salad cucumber,bitter gourd,lady’s finger,cabbage,broccoli and beetroot across one acre of land.
• Additional agricultural activities include open-field crop cultivation (paddy, banana and vegetables), soil-less farming on 15 cents of land, pisciculture (fish farming), livestock rearing and fodder grass cultivation.
• Automation spans light control, humidity regulation, temperature management and drip irrigation systems in his polyhouse farm setup.
• Farming is supported by family involvement; his wife Sobhanalatha and daughter Annie actively contribute to its management.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Cicil Chandran J.C.’s achievements underscore the growing significance of hi-tech methods in modern agriculture. His fully automated polyhouse farm demonstrates how integrating technology can enhance productivity and efficiency while optimizing resource use. By diversifying into multiple agricultural practices-ranging from horticulture to soil-less farming-he not onyl ensures resilience against market fluctuations but also exemplifies sustainable practices that could inspire other farmers. Recognitions like the State Farm Award not only validate such innovative approaches but also spotlight potential pathways for rural development amid global challenges like climate change. The success story signals the importance of government support for farmers adopting similar models to meet India’s food security goals while staying committed to environmental sustainability.

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