Story of Adaribariki Seethamma of Andhra Pradesh
Adaribariki Seethamma is a lead natural farmer from Pedalabudu village of Araku Mandal, in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Technology used: In 2019 May, pre-monsoon dry sowing was done and 200 kg of Ghanajivamrit was applied and the soil was ploughed minimally.
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On 15 May, seeds of white and red rajma, maize, tomato, red gram, ragi and other millets, leafy vegetables, and groundnuts were sowed. All the seeds were sown in line after being treating with Beejamrit, except groundnut, which was sown separately on the land. Dry grass was used as mulch material and soil was sprinkled on it. Thorn-fencing was done to protect the crops from cattle and other animals. Dravajivamrit was sprayed every two weeks until the completion of the crop cycle. Neemastra was sprayed to protect the crop from the attack of mosquitoes and other pests and prevent the falling of flowers.
The crop was monitored carefully throughout all the stages. No land was left fallow in any season and the PMDS technique was adopted.
Impact: She earned a total income of Rs 28,000 from 0.30 acres of land, along with food items for consumption, with a bare cost of Rs 2300.
She harvested leafy vegetables almost daily and there was not a single day when her income was less than Rs 500 a day. Also, a gradual increase in the yield from rajma helped in increasing her farm income.
Source: Andhra Pradesh Zero Budget Natural Farming Programme, Government of Andhra Pradesh
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Story of Smt. Rani of Andhra Pradesh
Smt. Rani is a lead farmer from Sambepalli Mandal of Kadapa district. She is an ardent Natural Farming practitioner. Since 2019, she has been cultivating vegetables and leafy greens in the pre-monsoon dry sowing method.
Technology: In a one-acre field, 200 kg of Ghanajivamrit was applied on 21 January 2019. After four days, 800 kg of type 2 Ghanajivamrit was applied. On 1 February 2019, 16 types of seeds of millets, pulses, tubers, vegetables (green grams, black gram, bajra, jowar, maize, okra, finger millets, horse gram, tomato, bitter gourd, red sorrel leaves, radish, coriander, amaranthus, chili, and drumstick) were treated with Beejamrit before sowing.
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Mulching was done with dried leaves. The field was fenced to protect from animals and to safeguard the topsoil from wind erosion. Dravajivamrit was sprayed at frequent intervals and Neemastra was applied to protect the crop from pests.
Impact: Healthy crops with filled panicles of healthy grains of cowpea, foxtail, and bajra were harvested. She received a total income of Rs 33,710 and spent an amount of Rs 4,800 for cultivation purposes. Her net income was Rs 28,910. She is expecting an additional Rs 5,000 from the standing crops on her farm. By maintaining a year-long green cover on fields, there is visible improvement in soil quality in terms of water-holding capacity, along with improved porosity.
Source: Andhra Pradesh Zero Budget Natural Farming Programme, Government of Andhra Pradesh
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Story of Vijay Kumar from Andhra Pradesh
Vijay Kumar is a farmer from Kadapa District, Muddanuru Mandal, Bondala Kunta Village, in Andhra Pradesh. He adopted Natural Farming in Rayalaseema, a geographically challenging region in the state.
Technology: In 2019 he decided to grow eight varieties of crops through the pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS) method in his leased land of 0.4 acres. He ploughed his land and applied 3 tractors of manure, and prepared 200 kg of Ghanajivamrit. On 12 May he sowed seeds of maize, jowar, bajra, and several leafy and other vegetables treated with Beejamrit. On 29 May and 6 June, he received 4 millimeters of rainfall. This was not sufficient, so he watered the crops from his borewell and started spraying Dravajivamrit in regular intervals.
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He ensured spraying relevant botanical extracts for controlling pest attacks. With sporadic showers and proper nourishment, he harvested the vegetables.
Impact: He harvested a variety of vegetables and crops, most of which was sold in the market. The harvested sesamum was kept for house purpose. Of all the seeds grown, green gram didn’t grow well. Despite this, it was a good investment as it fixated nitrogen in the soil.
Annual Expenditure
Total cost of cultivation: Rs12,000 Total cost of cultivation: Rs12,000 Total Gross Income : Rs 55,000 Total Gross Income : Rs 55,000 Net Income : Rs 43,000 Net Income : Rs 43,000
Crop-Wise Selling Prices:
Okra Rs 20–25 per KG Brinjal Rs 25 per KG Cluster Bean Rs 15 per KG Gogu Rs 20 per KG Tomato Rs 25 per KG Marigold Rs 45 per KG Amaranthus Rs 5 per one small bundle Source: Andhra Pradesh Zero Budget Natural Farming Programme, Government of Andhra Pradesh
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Story of Hirabhai Bhagvanbhai Vagh of Gujarat
Hirabhai Bhagvanbhai Vaghis a farmer from Landhava Village , District Gir Somnath Gujarat. He had received the Best ATMA Farmers Award-2018-19
Technology: Natural Farming, along with the application of cow dung, was practised for cultivating groundnut and wheat.
Impact: Natural Farming is low in cost and yields higher profit.
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Detail 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Sowing Area (Ha.) 5.60 (ha) 5.60 (ha) 5.60 (ha) Net Profit (Lakh Rs.) 2.95 3.46 6.02
Source: ATMA Directorate & SAMETI, Gujarat
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Story of Ghanshyambhai Viththalbhai Patel of Gujarat
Ghanshyambhai Viththalbhai Patel is a farmer from Village Khareti, Taluk– Matar, District Kheda, Gujarat, and a recipient of state-level Best ATMA Farmers Award 2018–19.
Technology: He adopted Natural Farming for cultivating paddy and wheat and used Jivamrit and cow urine for crop protection.
Impact: Good yield , GOPCA registration, less cost and increase in net profit:
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Detail 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Sowing Area (Ha.) 8 (ha) 8 (ha) 16 (ha) Net Profit (Lakh Rs.) 3.86 9.94 11.27 Source: ATMA Directorate & SAMETI, Gujarat
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Story of Narvanbhai Khatabhai Gohil of Gujarat
Narvanbhai Khatabhai Gohil is a farmer from Village Sevadivadar, Jesar, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Technology: Banana fruit was planted and Jivamrit, Ghanjivamrit, Nimastra, Daspraniark were applied during the crop cycle. The seeds were treated with Beejamrit before sowing and the crop was monitored.
Impact: The practice is profitable as it saves cost, softens the soil, and increases the soil organic matter, along with quality production and increased retail selling of banana.
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Profit in Natural Farming
Detail 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Sowing Area (Ha.) 1 (Ha) 1 (Ha) 1 (Ha) Net Profit (Lakh Rs.) 6.54 7.96 12.18 Source: ATMA Directorate & SAMETI, Gujarat
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Story of Ketankumar Punambhai Patel of Gujarat
Ketankumar Punambhai Patel is the farmer from Bhalej Village, of District Anand, Gujarat. He has been honored with the Sardar Patel Award by the Chief Minister of Gujarat and Best Farmers Award from Plant Protection Association of Gujarat on IPM.
Technology: Cucumber cultivation was done in a greenhouse with Natural Farming. Ghanjivamrit, Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra were applied during the crop cycle. Jivamrit was applied in drip irrigation and seeds were treated with Beejamrit.
Impact: A higher production of cucumber was recorded. Profit in Natural Farming is shown below.
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Detail 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Production (Ton) 40 27 35 Net Profit (Lakh Rs.) 5.51 4.16 8.16
Source: ATMA Directorate & SAMETI, Gujarat
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Story of Gaganmitra Bharatbhai Patel of Gujarat
Gaganmitra Bharatbhai Patel is the farmer from Village -Nava, Ta. – Himmatnagar, Dist. –Sabarkatha.
Technology: Elephant leaves (Colocasia) was planted and Jivamrit was sprayed in drip irrigation. The seeds were treated with Beejamrit, GhanJivamrit, Neemastra, Agniastra, Brahmastra during the crop cycle. Mulching technique was used to control weeds, which saved 80% of the cost and maintained soil moisture.
Impact: An increase in the quality of produce and net profit in elephant leaves was:
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Detail 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Production (Kg.) 14,000 17,000 20,000 Net Profit (Lakh Rs.) 5.20 5.86 7.19 Source: ATMA Directorate & SAMETI, Gujarat
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Story of Yashi Dolma of Himachal Pradesh
Yashi Dolma is a farmer from the Lahaul-Spiti district, Kaza Development Section, Himachal Pradesh. The geographical region, known as cold desert, is challenging for farming.
Technology: The Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (Khushal Kisan Yojana) method was used, with timely application of Beejamrit, Jivamrit, Aachhadan and Whapasa, Kashayams (decoctions), in a 25-bigha land. The crops planted were caulliflower, broccoli, cabbage, turnip, peas, potatoes, mustard, radish and lettuce.
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Impact:
Land under Natural Farming Natural Farming 2.5 bigha Expense: Rs 30,000
Income: Rs 2,00,000
Source: Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna, Government of Himachal Pradesh
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Story of Vijay Kumar of Himachal Pradesh
Vijay Kumar is a farmer from Kuling Village, Himachal Pradesh.
Technology: The Subhash Palekar Natural Farming method was used, with the timely application of Beejamrit, Jivamrit, Aachhadan and Waaphsa, Kashayams (decoctions), in a 25-bigha land. The crops planted were caulliflower, peas, potatoes, rajmash and apple.
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Impact:
Land under Natural Farming Conventional farming Natural Farming 5 bigha Expense: Rs 15,000
Income: Rs 4,00,000
Expense: Rs 2,000
Income: Rs 4,50,000
Source: Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana, Government of Himachal Pradesh
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Story of Shailender Sharma of Himachal Pradesh
Shailender Sharma is a farmer from Solan District, Himachal Pradesh.
Technology: The Subhash Palekar Natural Farming method was used, with the timely application of Beejamrit, Jivamrit, Aachhadan and Waaphsa, Kashayams (decoctions), in a 25-bigha land. The crops planted was tomato, capsicum, beans and rajmash.
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Impact:
Land under Natural farming Conventional farming Natural Farming 25 bigha Expense: Rs 80,000
Income: Rs 9,00,000
Expense: Rs 12,000
Income: Rs 12,00,000
Source: Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna, Government of Himachal Pradesh
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Story of Ajay Ratan of Himachal Pradesh
Ajay Ratan is a farmer from Himachal Pradesh; he is a recipient of agriculture-exclusive honour by the state government.
Technology: The Subhash Palekar Natural Farming method was used, with the timely application of Beejamrit, Jivamrit, Aachhadan and Waaphsa, Kashayams (decoctions), in a 25-bigha land. The crops planted were sugarcane, wheat, peas, tomato, capsicum, lentils, colocasia, bottlegourd.
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Impact: Ratan’s income increased as the input cost significantly decreased and the quality of produce increased.
Land under natural farming Conventional farming Natural Farming 25 bigha Expense: Rs 30,000
Income: Rs 450000
Expense: Rs 3000
Income: Rs 5,00,000
Source: Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna, Government of Himachal Pradesh
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Story of Krishnappa Dasappa Gowda of Karnataka
Krishnappa Dasappa Gowda is a farmer from Bannur village, T Narasipur taluk, Karnataka.
Technology: Teak, mango, coffee, turmeric, ginger, paddy, and sugarcane were cultivated on five acres of land using the technique of Natural Farming. Jivamrit was applied to increase the activity of microorganisms and earthworms in the soil and improve soil nutrients. Seeds were treated with Beejamrit and the mulching technique was used as well.
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Impact: ZBNF is economically viable for small farmers and can be done with less labor and investment.
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Story of Zakharias of Kerala
Zakharias J. Shan is a farmer from Aymananam Village of Kottayam District Kerala. He is the recipient of Best Farmer Award (block level) from Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Kerala and Best organic farmer Award (district level) by Sarojini Damodaran Foundation.
Technology: Rain shelter was provided as part of FLD programme by KVK Kottayam to carry out vegetable cultivation throughout the year to enhance vegetable production through Natural Farming. Cow dung and urine were used as manure and mixed for fertigation. Crops planted were bhindi, brinjal and salad cucumber.
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Impact: Economic gains
Crops/
enterprise
Area
(cent)
Yield
(Kg)
Costof cultivation (Rs) Unit price (Rs) Gross income BC
ratio
Bhindi 12 900 10000 50 45000 4.5 Brinjal 1 300 3000 40 12000 4.0 Salad cucumber 4 500 4000 40 2000 0 5.0 Fish (GIFT tilapia) 1
1
300
300
20000
20000
250
250
75000
525
75000
3.75
3.75
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Story of Adinath Annappa Kinikar of Maharashtra
Adinath Annappa Kinikar is a farmer from Karveer Taluk of . Kolhapur District, Maharashtra.
Technology: Natural Farming and multi-cropping, along with vermicompost production, was done on a 6-acre land. Vermicompost, vermin wash, Jivamrit, Dashparni Ark, Gir-Gokrupa Amrutam and Pheromone traps were locally prepared and applied on the crops. Desi cows were reared for the preparation of agri-inputs. Multiple crops were planted—sugarcane (2 acre), soybean (½ acre), moong as intercrop (1 acre), rice (¼ acre), gram (¼ acre), groundnut (½ acre) and sorghum (½ acre).
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Also, fruit crops and trees (sapota, lemon, mango, banana, coconut, papaya, custard apple, guava, and drumstick) were planted. Vegetables crops—brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, chili and coriander— were grown in the field.
Impact: A net income of Rs 2, 36,500 was obtained from these crops.
The net income gained from mango, guava, custard apple, banana, sapota and papaya trees was Rs 2,73,000 and Rs 73,000 was obtained from brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, chili and coriander.
Through the rearing of cows and vermicompost a net income of Rs 1,08,000 was derived.
Source: Shri Siddhagiri KVK, Kaneri, Kolhapur-II, M.S. 41623
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Story of Babasaheb Shankar Koot of Maharashtra
Babasaheb Shankar Koot is a farmer from Pimpalgaon Khurd, Kagal Taluk, of Kolhapur District, Maharashtra.
Technology: Natural Farming and multi-cropping, along with vermicompost production, was done on a 6-acre land. Vermicompost, vermin wash, Jivamrit, Dashparni Ark, Gir-Gokrupa Amrutam and Pheromone traps were locally prepared and applied on the crops. Desi cows were reared for the preparation of agri-inputs. Multiple crops were planted—sugarcane (4 acre), soybean (4 acre), intercrop lady’s finger (1 acre) and chili (0.25 acre).
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Also, fruit crops and trees (Mango, banana, lemon grass, sapota, lemon, coconut, dragon fruit, Sagwan, Kadipatta, custard apple, and guava) were planted. Vegetables crops, brinjal, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, chilli and coriander, were also grown in the field.
Impact: A net income of Rs 2,28,000 was made from sugarcane, soybean, bhindi and chili.
A net income of Rs 16,67,000 was received from mango, guava, custard apple, banana, sapota, dragon fruit, and the high value wood tree of Sagwan.
A net income of Rs 41,000 was received from cow-rearing and poultry services.
Source: Shri Siddhagiri KVK, Kaneri, Kolhapur-II, M.S. 41623
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