Field Visit to Progressive Farmer’s Integrated Farm at Honnavar, Uttara Kannada

    A field visit to the farm of Shri Sanju, a progressive farmer from Honnavar, near Sharavathi estuary, Coastal Karnataka, was organized on 1 January 2026. Shri Sanju is successfully implementing an integrated farming system, combining piggery, poultry, arecanut, coconut, banana cultivation, pond fish farming of pearlspot, and cage culture of seabass and red snapper (in Sharavathi estuary). The visit aimed to study and document his sustainable farming practices that enhance resource efficiency, diversify income sources, and promote coastal livelihood resilience. Dr. Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI appreciated the farmer’s innovative approach in integrating aquaculture with horticulture and livestock components, emphasizing the potential of such models to improve nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and rural entrepreneurship along the coastal belt of Karnataka. The farmer was further advised to develop the farm as an agro-eco-tourism center to offer educational knowledge and experiential learning opportunities for visitors and students. A visit was also made to observe the aqua-eco-tourism activities in Sharavathi estuary. This field visit forms part of ICAR-CCARI’s ongoing initiatives to promote integrated coastal farming systems under changing climatic and socio-economic conditions. The insights gained will support research, capacity building, and the dissemination of best practices among coastal farming communities across Goa and Karnataka.