Kamal Kishore Dhiran
- Nidhi Shegokar
- Aug 26, 2023
- 2 min read
In a realm dominated by Bt cotton, Kamal Kishore Dhiran stands out as an exception in the Balodi region, located 50 km away from Yavatmal in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Despite the introduction of transgenic or Bt cotton in 2002 and the prevailing pressure to adopt it, Dhiran has remained steadfast in planting desi cotton seeds. He resisted the trend and upheld his commitment to cultivating traditional cotton.
Previously, Dhiran was an integral part of the thriving organic cotton initiative known as the Vidarbha Organic Farmers Association. Unfortunately, this association is no longer operational, despite its past success in exporting organic cotton.
Dhiran's approach to cotton cultivation remains distinct. He continues to plant non-hybrid varieties of cotton, procured from the Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth in Akola on a periodic basis. Unlike most farmers, he chooses to save and reuse seeds, only purchasing new ones approximately every three years.
With a farming history dating back to 1960 and ownership of 60 acres of land, Dhiran experimented with hybrid cotton seeds initially, supplementing their growth with fertilisers and chemicals. However, he observed diminishing yields and consequently shifted to indigenous cotton varieties that were better suited to the local conditions.
Presently, his crop repertoire includes desi varieties like AK 7 and AK 8, along with certain American variants. He achieves a yield of 4 to 5 quintals (approximately 100 kg) per acre in dry land conditions, and about 8 quintals per acre in irrigated land. His cultivation expenses range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per acre, covering inputs like cow dung and other necessities.
Dhiran employs a natural approach to pest management, utilising natural predators as opposed to the heavy pesticide spraying employed by his Bt cotton-growing neighbours.