माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः

Promoting Innovative Rural Entrepreneurship

Recognizing the need to expand beyond crop-based livelihoods, Dr. Hegde has fostered alternate income-generating enterprises rooted Dr. Hegde has fostered alternate income-generating enterprises rooted in local resources and marine biodiversity:

Key initiatives:

• Ornamental fisheries
• Image pearl culture
• Exploration of blue-chip aquaculture ventures along the western coast
• These ventures reflect a holistic approach to rural entrepreneurship, merging innovation with traditional ecological knowledge.

Cultivating New-Age and Alternate Crops

Dr. Hegde introduced a wide array of non-traditional and high-value crops that enhanced both ecological diversity and farmer income.

His efforts include:

• Gumlac – natural resin production
• Chia seeds – a superfood for health-conscious markets
• Palmarosa – a source of premium essential oils
• Agarwood – a high-value aromatic crop with export demand
• These initiatives positioned the region as a hub for specialized and sustainable crop production, unlocking new avenues in agri-based industries.

Pioneering the Shift to Diversified Horticulture

Under his leadership, horticultural coverage in Uttara Kannada surged dramatically — from 22% to 56% within a short span — driven by a conscious move away from conventional high-input crops toward climate-adaptive, high-value horticulture. As an entrepreneurial farmer himself, Dr. Hegde has conducted extensive field trials, collaborated with agricultural scientists, and championed crop diversification as a tool for economic resilience and sustainability.

Reviving and Repositioning Cash Crops

Through strategic interventions, Dr. Hegde rejuvenated declining cash crops such as cocoa, vanilla, and cashew, infusing modern cultivation techniques and value-addition processes.This revival not only revitalized local economies but also reestablished the region’s legacy as a premium plantation zone for global markets.

Restoring Soil Vitality through Green Science

A firm believer in soil as a living system, Dr. Hegde spearheaded pioneering research on microbial bio-fertilisers and natural soil enhancers.His field collaborations with microbiologists led to the development of fourth-generation hybrid bio-fertilisers—advanced microbial consortia that enhance nutrient absorption and restore soil health.By reducing chemical dependency and regenerating natural fertility, his work aligns production with long-term ecological sustainability.

Integrating Forestry & Horticulture

Dr. Hegde’s environmental commitment is deeply intertwined with his horticultural vision. Through initiatives such Through initiatives such as the “Betta Balakedaarara Sangha”, he pioneered community-based forest management to conserve privileged forest lands in Uttara Kannada.By linking afforestation with agricultural livelihoods, he established a land-use model that balances biodiversity conservation with sustainable productivity—vital for hilly and fragile ecosystems.

Building Cooperative Market Ecosystems

Understanding that production without fair marketing disempowers farmers, Dr. Hegde built a cooperative-driven marketing network under the Kadamba ecosystem. These farmer-owned collectives act as aggregation and value-addition hubs, ensuring that local produce is standardized, processed, and marketed through transparent, technology-enabled platforms.This field-to-market bridge eliminates intermediaries, maximizes farmer earnings, and promotes inclusive economic growth through shared ownership.

Cultivating the Future: Vision for the Green Circular Economy

Dr. Hegde envisions agriculture as the epicentre of the emerging green circular economy. Even today, he personally cultivates his farmland,He personally cultivates his farmland, nurturing rare medicinal plants that form the basis of Kadamba’s green nanotechnological innovations.By combining ancient botanical wisdom with modern nano-biotechnology, he demonstrates how farming can fuel next-generation industries in health, wellness, and sustainability.His model of forest-integrated cultivation explores the economic dynamics of regenerative ecosystems—where prosperity grows in harmony with nature.