and using organic doesnt mean you cant use pesticides. (NA for certifications etc)
but you can use organic as preventive, and use chemical incase you find any significant infestation.
i too dont use any pesticides usually on my indra site, but attimes i dont have any option.
vvk
Allright
so we are back to my main point that we were focusing earlier i.e bringing down the fertilizer cost. how can we do it ?
how should the fertilizers be used as to their minimum ?
can you throw some light on this topic, can you share any of your fertilizer schedule for like a month or a week so that we can compare as to where are we going wrong.
i just calculated my fertilizer cost per month is 12000 rs currently, this is when my tomato hasn’t developed fully and capsicum is still in the growing stage.
and talking about failing of the crop, that can even happen with the person using chemical fertilizers and it has happened in the past with many people, in this case he is losing his TIME and MONEY as well, so its a bigger loss then. I am not against chemical farming or any type of farming for that matter, i just want to increase my profits and lower my initial investments.
aman
Guysss !!!
2 days and no reply or msg in this thread 
Where is everyone ??
Frankly this is becoming boring now …
Gn
Aman
hey Aman,
take a break ! looks like ur addicted 
about the fertigation cost… i dont consider it as an additional cost cause it is necessary and gives results. a lakh rupees yearly for an acre is fair enough… this is considering 100% chemical pesticides and fertigation.
so whats the substitute? either switch to cheaper products and/or make your own products.
if you learn to make your own fertilizers and pesticides, you can save the bit.
nasik is like a major hub Aman, so things are easily available comparatively. plus there are a lot of suppliers with different products.
i use all industrial grade products and dilute them. eg - boric, phospheric acid etc.
i cant tell you my secret, but i’ll give you some hints
there are cultures which are very efficient. thats a different topic altogether now…
my say is that i can make all my fertilizers and pesticides inhouse.
vvk
Aman,
do some research on VMB, get ur hands on some, and make it on your own.
VMB is something which is all in one, contact based microbes. u’ll love them once you understand how they work.
also i posted some cultures which i use some time back. these are readily available in market. for the first time, u’ll have to buy them. later you can multiply them urself.
vvk
Dear Vivek/Aman,
Vivek, like you said - start ASAP. I really want to, but the question that still persists is - should it be a greenhouse or a shade net I should start with??? There are 3 things I am contemplating growing (would be one of them to start with) - color capsicums, strawberries or tomatoes!!!
What should I go for guys??? What would you have done??
Thanks and Regards,
Arijeet
Viks
Being in a place like me, makes it very difficult for farmers to try and make products at home coz most things are not available here. You guys have access to variety of products, we have very limited products with comparatively very high prices.
But that won’t become an excuse for me, i am going to import stuff to my city from anywhr i can
Secondly, 1 lakh a acre per year sounds great to me. How can this be done ?
You talked about VMB, what’s that ? I even searched net but could anything related to agriculture with this name. Could you give me the whole name ?
Also, making fertilizer inhouse will require names of industrial grade chemicals that can be diluted and used on plants because combining them inhouse can be dangerous too.
Which chemical to use for nitrogen, phosphorous and potash ?
Aman
Arijeet since you asked 'what would i have done? ’
I sincerely would have used net house for growing vegetables, but this will be my second time now so their is a difference. I am well prepared now, i know the crop and polyhouse was much safer for me then as my investment was always SAFER in polyhouse. Keep net house for your expansion plan. Learn the crop first, and in polyhouse you will have less troubles to handle.
Tc
Aman
Arijeet,
depends on how much $$ you have
if you have money backup, polyhouse. if you wana go easy on money, and learn your way, then shadenet is best.
from all the crops you have listed, i would go for capiscum, cause i know the crop. but its you who have to grow and sell it. so the decission has to come from you.
growing is one part (easlier), the main challenge is to sell your produce. so think ahead and see which crop will be easy to sell.
vvk
Aman,
say hello to Verticillium Lecanii aka vmb.
this is my joker card for pesticides, and now you all know it 
i mean thats my secret. zero pesticide/fungicide cost !
i aint telling more 
vvk
Thanks viks for opening your secret
Appreciate it
I have already been using verticiliium lecanni, trichoderma harzianum, bacillus thuringisis, pseudomonas, beauveria bassiana etc
It works wonder, but the only problem is their is no dealer of biofertilizer companies in our region hence i have to directly order from the company coz of which i have to always order bulk quantity from them coz they cannot supply less quantity
Aman
Aman,
for NPK i use regular fertilizers with speciality.
i use a bit of the regular 00x00x50, 00x52x34,12x61x00,13x00x45,19x19x19.
apart from these my main fertigation is based on speacility fertilizers. regular N/P/K dose with something additional, at a cheaper cost.
i use a lot of calcibor which already has 12x13x13 and calcium with wax coat and boron. and its about Rs 10/kg. that goes into the basal doze at flowering stage. one of my fav. product so that ways i can save on calcium and boron differently.
vvk
Aman,
bio besticides are the best… way say aman ?
the results are terrific… i am a big fan myself
u think they work efficiently during hot times ? like at 35-40 degrees ?
vvk
Bio pesticides are awesome
It doesn’t work as good in hot though but if we can create some humidity it works great
What say ??
And an acre of color capsicum more !! Man you are expanding at a tremendous rate. Great to hear that. All the best.
Aman
I like trichoderma viride, harzianum and pseudomonas plus pacilomyces.
These 4 covers majorly all the fungus diseases. Highly systematic, and demands a lot a patience from the farmer’s side.
What say viks ? Are you using these ?
Also you talked about calcibor, is this the deccan’ company’s product ?
Aman
vmb is contact, it works best throughout.
i think trichoderma & pseudomonas need humidity. i use them during basal dose preparation.
i have administered vmb, and it literally eats the pests. and works against almost every pest related to capsicum.
for the new site, i am planning low density. maybe plantation at 2 feet distance… cant make up my mind yet… i am calculating rough production vs number of plants… and the cost… but then wana experiment too 
vvk
Aman,
these products are from a company called “YARA”
lovely company, nice and very different and innovative products…
vvk
i am one frustrated farmer ! !#(!$&#!$^!)*^$
green capsicum rates - Rs 9/kg,
went to the mandi today… i think everyones growing capsicum now a days…
Aman, color pepper buying price is Rs 20/kg … watch out man !
if we can develop our export links, thats the only option left because their are new people coming to this field everyday. for that we need organic produce coz major countries are demanding organic produce.
i think the rates are gonna go down continuously in local market now. hell !!!
what alternative are you thinking about ?
Aman
Yes, an interesting trend I notice in Hyderabad too. While regular veggies like gourds are shooting to 30s and 40s in retail, green capsicum sits stable at 24.