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Time of India
09-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
How organic farming techniques helped a farmer in Bihar decrease production costs
Shri Akhilesh Kumar, a progressive farmer from Mathnahamal Village in Vaishali district, Bihar, has steadily transitioned from conventional to organic farming with support from Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Owning 12 acres of irrigated land, he cultivates a range of crops throughout the year. In the Kharif season, he grows paddy, bajra, and wheat, while in the Rabi season, his focus shifts to wheat, potatoes, pulses, mustard, onions, and vegetables. Akhilesh's exposure to organic practices began in November 2018 when he attended a Training of Trainers (ToT) program on organic farming organized by PBRI at Patha. The program provided him with foundational knowledge on preparing organic manure and using natural methods for crop protection. Post-training, he took the initiative to train 50 other farmers in his village, serving as a local resource person for organic agriculture. Transition to organic methods As mentioned in the book 'Patanjali Organic Kranti' by Acharya Balkrishna, one of his key efforts was cultivating chemical-free onions on a 5000 square meter plot. This initiative began in February, and harvesting took place between May and June. To support crop health and reduce chemical usage, Akhilesh applied panchagavya, a traditional organic mixture prepared at home using ingredients like cow dung, cow urine, desi ghee, curd, jaggery (gur), and water. He sprayed it twice: once 15 days after transplanting and again 45 days later. After using panchagavya, he observed improved plant growth and healthier overall crop conditions. To replace synthetic pesticides and insecticides, he prepared and used dashparni, a fermented solution made from 10 local or wild plants combined with gaumutra (cow urine). This mixture acted as a natural pest and disease repellent and helped lower his input costs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Production and cost savings The shift to organic inputs allowed Akhilesh to reduce his expenditure on commercial fertilizers and pesticides. By using panchagavya and dashparni, which he prepared himself at home, he reported overall savings of around ₹1,720 compared to chemical-based farming, even with relatively lower production. These savings became especially significant considering the lower investment and chemical-free nature of the produce. He harvested a total of 1000 kilograms of onions from his organic plot and marketed them at Vaishali Sabji Mandi and Muzaffarpur Bazaar Samiti. The onions sold for ₹45 per kilogram, which was ₹5 higher than the previous price of ₹40 per kilogram for chemically grown onions. The price gain and input cost reduction combined to make organic onion farming economically viable for him. Marketing efforts For better price realization, Akhilesh focused on packaging and direct sales. He sold his onions in small polybag packets, making them more appealing and accessible in the market. This marketing strategy resulted in increased demand from local traders, who also showed interest in sourcing more organic onions from him. His experiment with packaging and direct sales not only fetched a better price but also provided a model for others to consider, especially those skeptical about the commercial potential of organic farming. Impact and outlook The response to his efforts has been positive. Farmers from his village and nearby areas have taken note of his results. Akhilesh's use of locally prepared organic inputs, moderate yield, and better price realization has inspired neighboring farmers to consider similar practices in their own fields. Encouraged by the outcome, Akhilesh is planning to scale up his organic onion cultivation in the coming seasons. He believes that with consistent effort and community involvement, large-scale organic farming of onions and vegetables could become profitable in his region.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
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. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
