Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
After retiring from service, Dadasaheb Shinde of Sindon village turned to his ancestral 16-acre farmland and chose floriculture and pulses over conventional crops. Through innovative farming practices, he has carved out a new path of success.
A recipient of several government awards, Shinde has been earning over Rs 25 lakh annually from floriculture after deducting expenses. Embracing modern technology, he has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in farming. With advanced methods, he ensures precise use of water, fertilisers, and pesticides, while monitoring soil moisture for accurate crop planning, resulting in a significant rise in productivity. Highly educated and having served in senior positions for many years, Shinde took charge of farming post-retirement with a vision to develop a model farm. Realising the uncertainty in traditional agriculture, he applied his academic knowledge to farming and sought guidance from agricultural science centre workshops. After the success of floriculture, he expanded into fruit plantations along field boundaries and pulses, ensuring optimum land utilisation. Today, his farm provides employment to 16–17 people.
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Recipient of multiple awards
Shinde has received the state government’s Vasantrao Naik Shetinist Shetkari Award and was honoured with the ICAR Innovative Farmer Award 2026 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. He has also been nominated for the Krishi Bhushan Award.
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Farmer sets his own price
One key advantage of experimental and floriculture farming, he says, is that farmers can decide the price of their produce. With effective use of technology, non-traditional crops can be cultivated profitably. His flowers are supplied to markets in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, while part of the produce is sent to Pune.