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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sowing Sustainability: Cotton, culture and the quiet return of natural farming
In the sprawling cotton fields of Vidarbha and the Deccan plateau, where generations have battled erratic rains and relentless market prices, a quieter transformation is underway. It doesn't involve high-yielding GM seeds or agri-drones. Instead, it begins with a cow, a clay pot, and a question: What if the land didn't need fixing, just listening to? This is the promise of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)—a grassroots farming method that revives ancient Indian agricultural practices, rooted in low cost, chemical-free cultivation. Championed by Subhash Palekar, ZBNF leans on four pillars: Jeevamrutha, Beejamrutha, mulching, and soil aeration. No synthetic fertilisers, no borrowed money, and no illusions about short-term yield miracles. Cotton, traditionally a water-hungry, pesticide-heavy crop, has found an unlikely new rhythm under ZBNF. ' We don't spray death anymore,' says a farmer. 'We brew life ." The shift is cautious, but real—input costs have fallen, soil health has improved, and farmers report a return of earthworms and birds, long lost to chemical warfare. It's not just a farmers' movement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Across the country, a broader alignment is quietly emerging—one where value-based businesses are now investing in value-driven farming. Patanjali, for instance, has extended its Ayurvedic and swadeshi ethos into agricultural sourcing. While best known for toothpaste and ghee, the company has, over the years, built procurement networks that prefer organically grown herbs and cotton. It has encouraged clusters of farmers to transition to natural methods—not as a CSR checkbox, but as part of its supply chain philosophy. A senior buyer associated with the Patanjali ecosystem put it simply: ' When your final product claims purity, the raw material cannot come from poi soned land .' Acharya Balkrishna, in Patanjali Organic Kranti, highlights the transformative impact of Patanjali's holistic farming methods on a cotton farmer's three-acre land. He notes that the farmer experienced a 20–25% increase in cotton production while reducing input costs by nearly 50%, as the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides was eliminated. The return of earthworms and the reduction in insect attacks indicated improved soil health and ecological balance. Moreover, the farmer's organic cotton attracted premium buyers, enhancing his income. Acharya emphasizes that beyond productivity gains, this approach restores the soil's loamy texture, improves moisture retention, reduces water usage, and fosters biodiversity, thereby creating a sustainable and rewarding farming system that benefits both the environment and the farmer's well-being." The company's textile ambitions, too—slowly expanding under the radar—appear aligned with this thinking. Cotton that's been grown without chemicals, processed without synthetic dyes, and woven by traditional units fits into a larger narrative of Bharatiya resurgence: not anti-modern, just differently modern. In fact the modern buyer is now consciously looking for wearable products that are 'clean' and eco-friendly. According to fashion influencer Piyusha Sharma , " With increasing awareness about how clothes are being produced using chemical cultivation methods, most buyers like me are making a conscious shift toward wearing only natural fabrics that are grown through traditional and organic methods. It's my way of supporting sustainable practices and choosing what's better for both the planet and my body." For farmers too, it is a shift that is changing the way they are looking at agriculture, " With Zero Budget Natural Farming, I no longer depend on expensive chemical inputs. The soil is alive again, my crops are healthier, and I've reduced my costs to almost nothing. It's farming the way nature intended" says Ramesh Kumar, farm owner from Kurnool. Of course, ZBNF isn't a silver bullet. The transition is tough. Yields dip initially, the labour is intensive, and support systems are still catching up. But as soil fertility returns and dependency on credit diminishes, what grows is not just cotton—but dignity. In a country where farm crisis headlines often drown hope, stories like these feel almost old-fashioned. And yet, they are quietly rewriting the future—one acre, one cow dung ferment, one ethically-sourced kurta at a time. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
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
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Patanjali's holistic farming techniques and the benefits a cotton farmer reaped
In India's arid cotton-growing areas, farmers frequently experience the brutish effects of irregular rainfalls, weak soils, and inflated input prices. For years, one such farmer battled to stay in the black. Dependent on high-priced chemical fertilizers and insecticides, his harvests varied and bills accumulated. The seductive offers of high-yielding seeds frequently failed to deliver, and the land started to suffer from exhaustion—topsoil crustiness, pest outbreaks, and lower biodiversity. Patanjali's holistic farming approach The turning point came when the farmer attended a workshop conducted by Patanjali's agriculture division. Known for promoting traditional Indian methods through modern sustainability frameworks, Patanjali offers an alternative path—holistic farming. This system integrates Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), organic inputs, vedic agricultural rituals, and crop diversity techniques. It promises to regenerate soil, reduce input costs, and restore balance between nature and farming. Key methods of Patanjali model The Patanjali model of holistic farming has its roots in traditional Indian farming knowledge. The model focuses on the application of natural manures such as jeevamrit, which is a fermented solution of cow dung, urine, jaggery, gram flour, and soil from their own field. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Mulching, crop rotation, and intercropping also enhance soil health and water holding capacity. First-hand results According to the book 'Patanjali Organic Kranti' by Acharya Balkrishna, the cotton grower started implementing these methods on his three-acre land. During the initial season, he noticed slight but meaningful changes. Earthworm movement came back—a notable indicator of soil well-being. Vegetation appeared greener and healthier. Insect attacks decreased markedly because of the enhanced ecological balance on the land, courtesy of natural pest repellers and the return of friendly insects. By the harvest season, the outcome was quantifiable. The farmer had a 20–25% rise in cotton production versus last year's. More significantly, his input had reduced by almost 50%, as he no longer had to purchase chemical fertilizers and pesticides. His organic cotton also interested buyers who were looking for organic textiles, providing him with a premium price. Environmental impact and soil revival Patanjali's model does more than boost productivity—it restores ecological balance. Over time, the soil on the farmer's land became loamy and easier to till. Water usage reduced significantly due to better moisture retention. The variety of crops and cover plants in the field attracted pollinators, reduced weeds naturally, and broke pest cycles. These improvements not only helped the ecosystem but also eased the workload of the farmer. Reduced reliance on outside inputs and more consistent crop patterns created a healthier pace for farm life. Better health Aside from the physical advantages, the farmer observed improvements in his own well-being. Toxic chemicals no longer posed a worry, particularly during the spraying seasons. No longer, with natural solutions prepared from indigenous materials, health risks were drastically curtailed. Activities such as Agnihotra and communing with nature spiritually also became a source of peace of mind for him. Farming, which previously was a stressful endeavor, grew more meaningful and rewarding again. Challenges during transition The transition from traditional to holistic approaches was not without its challenges. There was a steep learning curve for the first few months—making compost, controlling pests without instant-fix sprays, and holding out against pressure from local chemical suppliers. There were occasions of uncertainty when yields plummeted temporarily during the adjustment period. A model for sustainable farming Today, the farmer's land is thriving, and so is his livelihood. His success is a testament to what's possible when ancient knowledge meets modern ecological thinking. Patanjali's holistic farming techniques offer not just an alternative but a regenerative model for the future of Indian agriculture. Against the backdrop of climate change, soil erosion, and increased chemical reliance, models like these offer a sustainable way forward—one that powers farmers, guards the planet, and feeds people and plants. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
