Zero cost, double profit: Gujarat's Dahod farmers see success in natural farming practices
Dahod, June 29
Farmers across Gujarat are increasingly adopting cow-based natural farming to reduce cultivation costs and improve soil health, supported by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency Project.
In Dahod district, farmers such as Narendrabhai Hatila have been practising indigenous cow-based natural farming after receiving training under the ATMA Project. They use natural formulations like Jeevamrut and Ghan Jeevamrut, prepared from indigenous cow dung and urine, instead of chemical fertilisers. The practice has helped reduce input costs while improving soil fertility and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Speaking to ANI, farmer Narendrabhai Hatila said natural farming requires minimal expenditure and is centred around indigenous cows. He said one indigenous cow can support natural farming on up to 30 acres of land. According to him, the practice not only restores soil fertility affected by excessive chemical fertiliser use but also benefits human health and the environment while significantly reducing farming expenses.
The Agriculture Department, through the ATMA Project, is promoting natural farming by providing farmers with training, technical guidance, model farms and financial assistance.
Taluka Project Manager of the ATMA Project, Chetan Kumar Rathod, said Narendrabhai has been associated with the project for the past seven years and has consistently practised natural farming. He said the farmer received district-level training and support through model farms. Rathod added that Narendrabhai's five-layer model farm includes horticultural crops, vegetables and fruit crops, and that he earns a good annual income through cow-based natural farming without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
Technology Manager of the ATMA Project in Dahod, Ramsinh Chauhan, said farmers practising indigenous cow-based natural farming in Dhanpur Taluka receive financial assistance of ₹10,800 annually under the ATMA Project. He added that Bio-Resource Centres (BRCs) have also been established to ensure the local availability of natural formulations such as Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Agni Astra and Brahmastra. Under the Mission Cluster Scheme, financial assistance of ₹1 lakh is provided for establishing a BRC unit, while ₹60,000 is available under the Non-Mission category.
With lower input costs, improved soil health and better farm returns, cow-based natural farming is emerging as a sustainable and cost-effective model for enhancing farmers' incomes in Gujarat.
— ANI
Reader Comments
💚 This is the real 'Vocal for Local'! Instead of spending crores on imported pesticides, we should invest in desi cows. But I wonder - how do small farmers manage if they don't own a cow? The government should also provide cows to landless farmers or promote community cow banks.
बहुत अच्छा प्रयास है! लेकिन एक बात - ₹10,800 सालाना मदद काफी है? एक देसी गाय की देखभाल में ही ₹500-600 प्रति माह लगता है। सरकार को subsidy के बजाय गाय चारा और पानी की व्यवस्था पर ध्यान देना चाहिए। Natural farming long-term mein faydemand hai, lekin short-term mein kisan ko cash flow preserve karna chahiye.
🐄 As someone who studied sustainable agriculture in Australia, this is impressive! The five-layer model farm with horticulture, vegetables and fruits is exactly what we teach in permaculture. India's traditional knowledge combined with modern training is a winning combination. Would love to see a cost-benefit analysis over 5 years.
😊 This gives me hope! I'm from Bangalore and we've started a small rooftop garden using homemade jeevamrut. The taste of naturally grown vegetables is incomparable. But we need more awareness programs in urban areas as well. Wondering if ATMA has any city-based modules? Also, what about organic certification for these farmers?
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