Doubted once, now a role model: Farmer's palm venture pays off

Suresh Hubballi is not only earning in lakhs, but has set an example for other farmers

- SUNIL PATIL @ BELAGAVI

SUCCESS doesn't come overnight—it demands hard work, persistence, and above all, patience. With unwavering patience, Suresh Basappa Hubballi has turned his small farm into a goldmine through palm cultivation, earning lakhs annually and setting an example for farmers across the state and beyond.

Hubballi hails from Hunashikatti village in Channamma Kittur taluk. Though palm trees take three years to start yielding fruit, he waited patiently. Today, the very people who once doubted him are inspired to follow his lead. Suresh owns just 1.3 acres of land. Initially, he grew traditional crops like sugarcane and maize but found little financial success.

His son-in-law, Ramesh Hadimani of Hirebagewadi, returned from Malaysia with knowledge of palm cultivation and encouraged Hubballi to try it. Likewise, Hubballi planted 100 genera variety palm saplings in 2006-07.