Tribal farmer Mitulbhai Chaudhary has left behind chemical farming and adopted cow-based organic farming.
Mitulbhai, who cultivates vegetables like tindora on 1.5 acres of land with minimal cost, is earning an income of ₹30,000 per month. He has benefitted from the government’s assistance program for setting up a shed for growing vegetables under the district-sponsored scheme.
Organic Farming Brings Better Yield and Economic Benefits: Mitulbhai Chaudhary
Surat: Thursday: As farmers gradually shift from chemical fertilizers and pesticides to organic farming, Mitulbhai Shankarbhai Chaudhary from Vankla village in Mandvi Taluka has embraced cow-based organic farming, leaving behind chemical farming. For the past four years, he has been practicing natural farming using cow dung manure, resulting in better yields and financial success. This year, he grew tindora (ivy gourd) on 1.5 acres of land at a low cost, earning ₹30,000 a month.
Living in the Sarkaniya Faliya area of Vankla village, Mitulbhai shared, “Earlier, we practiced conventional farming, but since I started taking an interest in farming, my attraction towards organic farming has grown. I studied the process of organic farming and after that, I began cultivating vegetables, specifically tindora. The result was a good harvest, and no diseases affected the crops, which boosted my enthusiasm. I grew tindora again the following year, and now, on 1.5 acres of land, I’m cultivating tindora and brinjal with minimal costs, generating an annual income of ₹3,60,000, which allows me to sustain my family. Part of this income is reinvested to make my organic farming even more efficient.”
He also stated that from the beginning, he was determined to practice true organic farming. “I prefer to work on the farm myself and prepare natural fertilizers and medicines like Jeevamrut and compost at home. We use cow dung to make fertilizer and apply it to the crops. Organic farming requires a bit more effort, but the cost of production is almost zero. This farming yields higher production, double the income, and better prices in the market. It protects the environment and human health, saves water, and enhances the soil’s moisture retention capacity, preventing land from becoming barren. Thus, every year, a good crop can be harvested.”
Mitulbhai also mentioned that the vegetables grown through organic farming do not need to be sold in the market; his relatives and local residents buy the produce directly from him.
Talking about the financial assistance provided by the government, he said, “Various farmer-friendly schemes by the state government have helped farmers like us in rural areas to become economically independent. I received assistance for building a shed for growing vegetables through the district-sponsored scheme, which has been very helpful.”
Mitulbhai Chaudhary, a happy organic farmer, has become an inspiration for other farmers in his area and across the state who are interested in adopting organic farming practices.
