Wayanad farmer gets 18.48 kg ash gourd using only cow dung as fertilizer

Wayanad: A farmer planted seeds he received as part of a government scheme to start kitchen gardens at households, but never did he expect an enormous ash gourd which would surprise everyone. Meppadi native Joshy harvested a giant ash gourd weighing 18.48 kilograms from his farm.

Normally, ash gourds weigh around 5-6 kilograms and weigh maximum 10 kilograms. After inquiring about the giant ash gourds, Joshy found that the largest ash gourd yielded before this weighed only 16 kilograms. Other ash gourds yielded in Joshy’s farm are of normal size and weight.

A small scale farmer, Joshy cultivates yam and banana and also rears cows. He planted the seeds given as part of a scheme in order to not waste it. However, he did not imagine the stunning yield. Joshy never used chemical fertilizers on plants. He applied only cow dung as fertilizer.

As he is not farming on a large scale, it was not very hard to sell the produce even during the lockdown. He sells the produce mostly at local markets. However, Joshy has no plans to sell the giant ash gourd. He has informed the agriculture officer and is waiting for his response.