Gir Somnath (Gujarat) [India], Farmers are adopting natural farming in Gujarat with much interest as they say it generates more profits through increasing demand for organically grown produce, reduced costs due to sourced inputs local and at the same time have benefits for the soil and the environment.
According to estimates, more than 50 per cent of the land in Gujarat is used for agricultural purposes. The state is divided into seven subagroclimatic zones and is endowed with abundant natural resources, in terms of different soil types, climatic conditions and diversified cropping patterns. The state is the major producer of tobacco, cotton, groundnut, rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, maize, tur and gram.
Natural farming allows farmers to avoid artificial fertilizers and industrial pesticides and is gaining greater acceptance thanks to the efforts of the state government.
According to estimates, natural farming in Gujarat has spread to around 275,000 hectares in the state with around nine lakh farmers associated with it. The campaign for natural farming began in 2020 and scientists have been explaining the processes to farmers and how they will benefit from them.
Natural farming is also spreading in Gir Somnath district. Agricultural scientists here hold meetings, exhibitions and camps to help farmers. In addition to agricultural inputs, they inform farmers about the economic and health benefits of natural farming.
Agricultural scientist Jitendra Singh said the job of the government and agricultural scientists is to explain new technologies and new tools to farmers and explain how they can benefit.
There is a growing demand for natural organic food products for their health benefits among people amid increasing lifestyle and some other diseases.
Bhagwan Bhai Kachot Oti, a resident of Lodhva village, said that he used to do agriculture using pesticides.
"My expenses were increasing and my productivity was decreasing. The quality of soil was also deteriorating. I came in contact with Krishi Vigyan Kendra and practiced natural farming. I am getting benefits from it," he said.
"I also package some of my products, decide their price and put them up for sale online. Earlier I visited APMC market to sell all my products, but now it is easier."
Jaideep Kachot, son of Bhagwan Bhai Kachot, said that he has been living with his father after he switched to natural farming.
"When my father was not involved in natural farming, he thought that I should go to the city, get a good job and earn money because there was not much income. When my father started farming naturally, I started living with him and help you and I also practice online marketing," he stated.
Jitu Bhai Ganda Bhai Solanki of Kodinar's Deoli village also said that before taking up natural farming he had thought of going to the city to earn money.
"I felt like my land was becoming infertile. Any water I poured onto the field was barely absorbed. Since I started farming naturally, the fertility of my land has increased. Water now seeps into the soil. Due to this, my land is becoming fertile."
Ramesh Bhai Rathore, an agricultural scientist, said farmers see the benefits of natural farming not only for the profits for themselves but also for the health benefits for customers.
He said microbial harvesting, native seeds, mixed cropping and livestock manure help crop yields and the fact that they can market their products adds a lot of value.
Amiben Upadhyay, CEO of a store in Kodinar Sutrapada, said customers feel good about buying naturally grown agricultural products.
"Many Kodinar farmers are taking up natural farming. We are working to deliver the farmers' natural products to the people. Many big farmers are selling their products online in the country and abroad with the help of the government," he added.
According to estimates, more than 50 per cent of the land in Gujarat is used for agricultural purposes. The state is divided into seven subagroclimatic zones and is endowed with abundant natural resources, in terms of different soil types, climatic conditions and diversified cropping patterns. The state is the major producer of tobacco, cotton, groundnut, rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, maize, tur and gram.
Natural farming allows farmers to avoid artificial fertilizers and industrial pesticides and is gaining greater acceptance thanks to the efforts of the state government.
According to estimates, natural farming in Gujarat has spread to around 275,000 hectares in the state with around nine lakh farmers associated with it. The campaign for natural farming began in 2020 and scientists have been explaining the processes to farmers and how they will benefit from them.
Natural farming is also spreading in Gir Somnath district. Agricultural scientists here hold meetings, exhibitions and camps to help farmers. In addition to agricultural inputs, they inform farmers about the economic and health benefits of natural farming.
Agricultural scientist Jitendra Singh said the job of the government and agricultural scientists is to explain new technologies and new tools to farmers and explain how they can benefit.
There is a growing demand for natural organic food products for their health benefits among people amid increasing lifestyle and some other diseases.
Bhagwan Bhai Kachot Oti, a resident of Lodhva village, said that he used to do agriculture using pesticides.
"My expenses were increasing and my productivity was decreasing. The quality of soil was also deteriorating. I came in contact with Krishi Vigyan Kendra and practiced natural farming. I am getting benefits from it," he said.
"I also package some of my products, decide their price and put them up for sale online. Earlier I visited APMC market to sell all my products, but now it is easier."
Jaideep Kachot, son of Bhagwan Bhai Kachot, said that he has been living with his father after he switched to natural farming.
"When my father was not involved in natural farming, he thought that I should go to the city, get a good job and earn money because there was not much income. When my father started farming naturally, I started living with him and help you and I also practice online marketing," he stated.
Jitu Bhai Ganda Bhai Solanki of Kodinar's Deoli village also said that before taking up natural farming he had thought of going to the city to earn money.
"I felt like my land was becoming infertile. Any water I poured onto the field was barely absorbed. Since I started farming naturally, the fertility of my land has increased. Water now seeps into the soil. Due to this, my land is becoming fertile."
Ramesh Bhai Rathore, an agricultural scientist, said farmers see the benefits of natural farming not only for the profits for themselves but also for the health benefits for customers.
He said microbial harvesting, native seeds, mixed cropping and livestock manure help crop yields and the fact that they can market their products adds a lot of value.
Amiben Upadhyay, CEO of a store in Kodinar Sutrapada, said customers feel good about buying naturally grown agricultural products.
"Many Kodinar farmers are taking up natural farming. We are working to deliver the farmers' natural products to the people. Many big farmers are selling their products online in the country and abroad with the help of the government," he added.
