How Patanjali products helped a brinjal farmer in Wardha transition to organic profits
In the heart of Maharashtra's Wardha district, an agricultural revolution is occurring, one whose golden opportunities for sustainable farming and rural wealth must be shared.
At its core is Shri Prabhakarrao Deotale, a Nandora village farmer who transitioned from conventional to organic farming, both increasing revenue and environmental health, largely because of training and practices inspired by Patanjali Ayurved's farm extension work.
Deotale, an owner of 1.5 hectares of land who grew a variety of vegetables conventionally for years, received his wake-up call in May-June 2019 when he attended an organic farming training program conducted by the Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI) at Nandora.
The workshop was under the Farmer Samruddhi Programme of Patanjali, an initiative to empower farmers through ancient Indian knowledge systems blended with modern organic principles.
Training the farmers
During his training, Deotale was introduced to a wide variety of natural farming inputs and philosophies, including Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, cow dung-based composts, and vermiwash—all staples in organic farming protocol. He also learned the advantages of using straight (non-hybrid) seed varieties and natural pest deterrents over chemical fertilizers and insecticides.
Armed with such knowledge, Deotale took a dramatic turn. In July 2019, he set aside 0.50 acres (0.20 hectares) of his land for chemical-free cultivation of brinjal through the use of the Harshal (Ankur) variety. His initial results were promising enough for him to harvest in September of the same year.
Patanjali principles
The shift to organic practices resulted in drastic reductions in the cost of inputs and sustained improvements in soil health.
On the advice of Patanjali, Deotale made homemade Panchgavya and Dashparni—a mixture natural plant products and other things to manage nutrients and control pests.
Panchgavya and Dashparni was applied to the field as remedies recommended in Patanjali's farmer manuals, and they helped keep plants healthy and minimised the need for commercial chemicals.
The integrative organic system reduced pesticide costs and enhanced plant health.
Notably, field observations showed healthier, stronger plant growth and immunity, an important parameter of crop and soil health under organic conditions.
Market strategy: Organic by trust
Deotale initially sold his crop twice a week on the campus of a local medical and engineering college in Sewagram. Despite the limited exposure, the higher price of organic brinjal ensured a superior income. His success has drawn attention and imitation from other farmers in the district.
Apart from farming
Deotale's commitment extends beyond his field. A poet and singer, he composed Marathi songs detailing the health hazards of chemical farming—lessons he absorbed during Patanjali's RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) training. By performing these songs locally, he has become an organic ambassador, sensitizing other farmers and villagers to the dangers of pesticides and the promise of natural methods.
A new model for rural India?
What makes Deotale's journey remarkable is the blend of tradition and innovation.
Patanjali's approach—rooted in Vedic agriculture and fortified by modern training—has given farmers like Deotale the tools to achieve profitability without compromising the environment or health.
As awareness of food safety and sustainable farming grows, Deotale's success is more than an individual achievement. It is a potential model for rural transformation, where local know-how, sustainable technologies, and strategic placement of the market coalesce to create strong farm systems.
As chemical farming continues to brew as a cause of controversy, examples like that of Deotale show that maybe the future does lie in returning to our roots, with institutions like Patanjali in the lead.
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