Guidance . . Nisha Singh (IAS) Rakesh Kanwar (IAS) Additional Chief Secretary Special Secretary (Agriculture) cum (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries) State Project Director Editing and Compilation Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel Executive Director Rohit Prashar Raman Kant Asst. Public Relation Officer Sub-EditorChief Minister Himachal Pradesh Shimla- 171002 tee a0 eo Our state is known as ‘Dev Bhoomi’. The farmer-orchardist here is hard working, honest and is always keen to accept the new techniques. It is because of these farmers- fruit growers that Himachal Pradesh is now popular as ‘Fruit State’ in the country. The state is earning an income over Rs. 8,000 crore annually from seasonal, off-season vegetables and fruits. In the midst of this growing prosperity, however, the trend of farmers migrating out of agriculture, the increasing use and abuse of various pesticides and other agro-chemicals, rising cost of cultivation and chemical residues found in the food grains, fruits and vegetables pose a serious challenge. Simultaneously, we have to fulfill the dream of Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to double the income of farmers by 2022. Our government has therefore, taken a timely initiative by starting ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana’ (PK3Y) to sustain the farming, enhance farmer income through the adoption ofa farming system which is in harmony with nature. The ‘State Project Implementing Unit’ constituted by our government has expeditiously taken up a comprehensive programme in this direction. The publication of the success stories of the farmers, particularly orchardists of Shimla district is a laudable effort. [believe that with the guidance of Project officials, these successful farmers will speed up the campaign for natural farming in their respective villages. I congratulate all the officers, other officials and farmers associated with ‘Subhash Palekar Natural Farming’ and wish them all the best in this noble endeavour. ee TPA, - Jai Ram ThakurAgriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Himachal Pradesh oa Shimla- 171002 It is certainly encouraging for the state to see how the farmers and fruit growers are evincing interest to adopt the ‘Subhash Palekar Natural Farming’ under ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana’ (PK3Y), an ambitious programme of our government. In last two and half years, 1, 07,564 farmers-fruit growers in 2,957 Panchayats of the state have got associated with the natural farming. It shows that they have accepted the challenge to adopt the nature friendly farming in different terrains and on every crop or fruit. The statistics collected by the ‘State Project Implementing Unit’ (SPIU), constituted to implement this Yojana, on parameters like production of different crops and fruits, pest management and increase in the income of farmers speak volumes about the success of this flagship initiative. This Yojana is a pleasant and exemplary initiative to reduce cost of cultivation, produce crops without chemicals to double farmers’ income and enrich the land, water and environment in the state. The compilation and publication of the experience of farmers associated with this Natural Farming propounded by Padma Shri Sh. Subhash Palekar done by the SPIU- PK3Y is a commendable effort. It will act as an inspiration to create awareness among. the new farmers-fruit growers to transform their chemical based farm practice into one which is cheaper, non-chemical and produce at the same time. My good wishes to all these farmers and congratulations to SPIU for their diverse and successful efforts. - Virender Kanwar - | aii aeAdditional Chief Secretary (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries) Himachal Pradesh Shimla- 171002 We are feeling proud that Himachal Pradesh is now being referred at global platform for natural farming. The farmer- fruit grower in the state is hard working and progressive, besides sensitive to the glaring issues like soil health, ground water availability, environment protection and human health associated with the present system of farming. The rising cultivation cost and uncertain production with the increased use of chemicals has been a constant cause for concern. With a view to making farming beneficial, the state government started ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana’ (PK3Y) and decided to adopt ‘Subhash Palekar Natural Farming’ asa policy. The continuous success of this method of farming has proved that it is a viable option for increasing the income of farmers and their welfare in the long run. Good crop can be taken with this farming method, which maintains the fertility of soil with reduced water requirement. The ‘State Project Implementing Unit’, constituted by the state government, has put in serious and meaningful efforts to implement this project, monitor it and fulfill the set targets in a timeline manner. The current statistics of 1,07, 564 SPNF farmers in the state have established the relevance of this natural farming by adopting the method fully orpartially. The publication of success stories of the farmers who have transformed into natural farming within a short period of the launch of the project indicates the success of this programme. I hope that the continuation of the success stories of farmers will make the state chemical free in the stipulated time period. Greetings to the State Project Wor - Nisha Singh (IAS) Pwr ys ~~ ee ws Implementing Unit’ for this compilation and publication.Special Secretary (Agriculture) cum State Project Director Himachal Pradesh Shimla- 171002 tee a0 eo The ill effects of green revolution in agriculture are clearly visible on the society and life. The decline in land fertility, increasing cultivation cost, decreasing or stagnant production and finally the farmers migrating out from agriculture-horticulture to find employment in cities have become a cause for concern not only for the farmers but also to consumers as a whole. The organic farming also could not yield expected results, as is evident from its slow pace of adoption by farmers due to various reasons. Much dependence on market for input supplies and complex compliance makes the ‘organic farming’ a costly method. Within a short period of two and half years after the implementation of natural farming method, developed by Padma Shri Sh, Subhash Palekar, more than 1 Lakh farmers and fruit growers have raised their farms ~orchards as models of this farming under ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana’(PK3Y) in the state, It is a meaningful initiative to take Himachal Pradesh towards chemical free farming. The project is successfully being implemented across the state by the ‘State Project Implementing Unit’ and all our officials and employees are working with devotion to achieve this pious goal. The publication of success stories of farmers of Shimla district is an important initiative. It will motivate other farmers to work in this direction and succeed. My good wishes to all the farmers in the district. Rakesh Kanwar (IAS) o “<5, joe) nlPreface Himachal Pradesh is popular as ‘Fruit State’ in the country. Over the last two and half, years, the hill state has also earned recognition for producing off season vegetables. Currently, Himachal Pradesh sends fruits and vegetables worth Rs. 8,000 crore to other states. However, the stagnant crop production and increasing cost of cultivation in agriculture and horticulture is a constant worry for the farmers. According to a scientific research, every Sth fruit/vegetable sample in the state carries the residue of insecticides and fungicides because of increasing overuse of chemicals in the farming. 3 to 4% samples of fruits and vegetables have been found to have insecticide and fungicide residue more than the permissible limits, which is 1 % higher than figures of the country. Such a situation in agriculture and horticulture is a cause of serious concer for the farmers as well as consumers. The farmer of the country is looking for a viable method which can bring down the cost of cultivation and increase his income. The option of organic farming has not only led to decreased production, but has increased the cost of cultivation compared to chemical farming. The Himachal Pradesh government has taken a bold step forward by launching ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana’ (PK3Y) in February, 2018 with an aim to double the farmers income. As a part of this Yojana, the farmers and growers in the state are being trained in natural farming concept developed by Padma Shree awardee Subhash Palekar. The NITI ‘Aayog, the policy think tank of the Government of India, has referred in its vision document that ‘Subhash Palekar Natural Farming’ (SPNF) method is capable of reducing the cost of cultivation and increasing the production of crop for the farmer. By adopting this, the target of. doubling the income of farmers can be achieved. To meet this objective, the ‘State Project Implementing Unit’ has formulated an elaborate working plan, wherein 1 lakh farmers are being associated with natural farming method through different activities. 1 lakh farmers are separately being inspired to adopt natural farming through different media. So far, 1,02,253 farmers have been trained in natural farming and 1,07,564 have fully or partially taken to this method in the state. Officials and farmers from different states are visiting the ‘model farms’ to see the results of natural farming in HP. An effort has been made to document the success stories of the farmers, who are doing natural farming after proper training. This book will surely encourage them and will inspire other farmers to adopt this farming system. The endeavor is to publish the stories of such Py -Prof Rajeshwar Singh Chandel Executive Director wr) «Ere ae” successful farmers district wise in the near future.Subhash Palekar Natural Farming-Rationale The post Green Revolution era has recommended cultivation of fertilizer responsive high yielding varieties, which led to enhanced use of fertilizers, resulting into succulent crop plants. These . The new situation led to the luxurious crop plants have invited high incidence of pests and diseas indiscriminate use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals. The agro-chemical industry has successfully created a myth that pesticides are an inevitable requirement in modem production systems. Thus, farmers started using them carelessly, and continue to use till today. A few economists are happy that these agrochemicals have increased the agricultural production. Although, farmers are not aware of the hazardous effects of pesticides, but increasing cost of cultivation vis-a-vis static or decreasing is being now realized by them. The enormous impacts of high and indiscriminate usage of these agro-chemicals on agriculture crops have been reported on soil, water, environment and socio-economic conditions of farmers. As per ISRO’s SAC, Ahmedabad report, 29.3% of the land in the country has become degraded. The current increase in degradation compared with 2003-2005, was high for Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and the Estates. Himachal Pradesh, the most developed hilly state has eamed the crown of ‘Fruit bow!’ of the country. Vegetable production is also generating revenue of Rs. 3,500-4,000 crore annually and has emergedas an alternate economic activity in the horticulture sector. However, this shift from traditional to cash crop farming has also resulted in misuse of agrochemicals particularly pesticides. The residue level in various food commodities has been reported to exceed by 1% (3.47%) in Himachal Pradesh compared to the country (2.4%). All the major vegetables and fruits grown in the State have been reported to be laced by one or more unapproved pesticides, thereby burdening them with much higher cost of cultivation. A daily vernacular report states that around 25% farmers had left agriculture in the last one decade, owing mainly to the non-profitable kind of farming in Himachal Pradesh, ‘The other alternative, widely promoted as ‘Organic Farming’ as a whole proved an expensive process, and thus, is away from the reaches of an average farmer on the grounds of affordability. It has also been reported to take more land to grow the same amount of organic food, leading to more deforestation in the tropics and contributing to more CO2. The recommended use of FYM under present houschold conditions has also become unaffordable, An article published in ‘Nature’ on 12 Dec 2018 says ‘Organic food and biofuels have a much bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed food due to greater areas of land required to produce these alternative foods. This situation has initiated a debate to save farmers from migration to cities and sustain their farm based livelihood opportunities. So, the challenge continuously remained to convince farmers to shift to organic, which also results in an immediate impact on theirincome. ‘The 10% contribution of agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors to the state gross domestic product (SGDP) provides employment to 69% of the population in the State, The challenge before us today is to double the income of farmers in such a way that fertility of the soil improves along with quick wr) «Ere ae”increase in their income. It is neither possible with chemical based farming and nor with organic methods. The only alternative with the farmers is ‘Natural Farming’invented and promoted by Padamshri Subhash Palekar, which is successfully tested and validated in various parts of the country. The announcement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh to launch ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kissan’ Yojna (PK3Y) in his budget speech for 2018-19, with a budgetary provision of + 25,00 crorehas now become a flagship programme of the State. The sole motive of the Yojna was to double farmers’ income by 2022 and paved the way to adopt ‘Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF)’in the State as a mean to meet the objectives of the Yojna. Under this Yojna, the ‘State Project Implementing Unit’ has taken important steps in transforming present day chemical based market driven farming into a natural farming system by recognizing its significant benefits for farmers’ ‘economy, society and the environment. Subhash Palekar’s Natural Farming (SPNF) is one such low- input, climate-resilient type of farming that encourages farmers to use low cost locally-sourced inputs, eliminating the use of artificial fertilisers and industrial pesticides. Itis altogether different from organic farming. SPNF is not an ‘organic input agriculture’. There are no external inputs such as *bio—fertilisers’, compost or vermi compost or exotic and expensive ‘bio’ products etc. The output of SPNF meets the requirements of ‘organic’ certification. It requires almost no monetary investment and envisages use of locally made inoculations prepared with cow dung and urine, This Natural Farming is a complete paradigm shift from external input based Green revolution. Subhash Palekar developed the SPNF with his own efforts. SPNF isa regenerative agriculture witha set of agriculture methods that counters the commercial expenditure and creates the humus around plant rootzone which contains all the inputs required for the growth and development of the plant. He identified 04 wheels which require locally available material: seeds treatment with cow dung and urine (Beejamrit); soil rejuvenated with cow dung, urine and other local material to increase microbes (Jeevamrit & Ghanjeevamrit); cover crops, straw and other organic matter to retain soil moisture and build humus (Aachhadan); and soil aeration for favourable soil conditions (Vaapsa), These methods are combined with natural insect-disease management methods. In SPNF, crops yields have been found to increase significantly when compared with chemical farming. ‘Mr. Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment says ‘This is an unprecedented transformation towards sustainable agriculture on a massive scale, and the kind of bold change we need to see to protect the climate, biodiversity, and food security. “We're pinning a great deal on the Zero Budget Natural Farming programme, which I hope will inspire the widespread adoption of a natural farming scheme. It'sa better deal for farmers, consumers, and the planet’. The official launch of the SPNF programme marked an unprecedented commitment by the state of Himachal Pradesh to promote the regenerative agriculture to transform and protect local farming and long-term well-being of farmers. The success of elimate-resilient, SPNF in Himachal Pradesh will not only help India in meeting its SDGs butit can also inspire and transform the lives of millions of farmers across other developing world. wry ~~ eyShimla district- An overview Shimla is most important district of Himachal Pradesh in view of production of apples, seasonal and off-season vegetables, religious places and tourism. The geographical area of the district is 5,131 square kilometre with altitude varying from 2,200 to 7,200 feet. ‘There are 1,29,854 farmers-orchardists in the district cultivating 74,500 hectares of land. Known as the main fruit growing district of the state, Shimla produces 2-3 crore apple boxes every year and plays an important role in the economy of the state and employment generation at village level. The low height areas like Theog, Basantpur, Mashobra and Rampur in Shimla district produce vegetables in abundance. Apart from apple, the district also produces apricot, peach, pear, walnut and dry fruits like almond. Orchardists from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K and North Eastern states procure apple and other fruit plants from various nurseries in Shimla, Many farmers and orchardists from Shimla district have won laurels for the state at national level. Brief Description Block-wise Implementation Status of Natural Farming ee eee ‘Total Farmers N Development | Farmers] under Natural Perr Bete Block pan ‘ 129,854 : Li id z aaa tt 1 Mashobra 18,07 838 3972 - 2 Basantpur 8373 851 59.67 3. Theog BMS 780 5897 ‘Total Population 814,000 4 Narkanda 10107 5 S182 5S Rampur 5690682 3985 = ‘Total Geographical _ Sia Area Ga Hedtare) & Nankhari 6075 398 aa 3828 = os 5/1310 7 Jubal 16,387 830 813 4273 hea conebet 8 Rohru yo 483 se 48.08 Area (in Heetare) 8 Chirgaon 10304 881 607 3876 ae 74,500 10 Chopal m0 848 688 5859 Farmers targeted under Natural Farming for the year 2019-20 6,000Successful Farmers Subhash Shadru, Village Shaktinagar, Panchayat Samoli, Block Rohru Suresh Thakur, Village Tabhog, Panchayat Pahal, Block Basantpur Manoj Sharma, Village Thalog, Panchayat Nanhaar, Block Chopal Satya Devi, Village Lafughati, Panchayat Sandu, Block Theog Anil Biswan, Village & Panchayat Khabal, Block Chirgaon Bhagat Singh Rana, Village & Panchayat Sandasu, Block Chirgaon Rajpal Gejta, Village Astaani, Panchayat Samoli, Block Rohru Surender Mehta, Village Lalpani dochi, Panchayat Chanju, Block Chaupal Sushma Chauhan, Village Palai, Panchayat Shilaru, Block Theog Jeet Singh, illage Dandly, Panchayat Nerwa, Block Chopal Surat Ram Sharma, Village & Panchayat Kedi, Block Chopal Jagdish Chander Sharma, Village & Panchayat Koti, Block Theog Ravinder Chauhan, Village & Panchayat Samoli, Block Rohru Tilak Raj, Village Hathiya, Panchayat Mogda, Block Narkanda Surender Pirta, Village Chamshu, Panchayat Ravin, Block Jubbal Pramod Desta, Village & Panchayat Nar: , Block Rampur Pawan Sharma, Village & Panchayat Patgehar, Block Mashobra Sanjeev Negi ,Village Funja, Panchayat Majhewali, Block Rampur Jiya Lal Sahrma, Village Mehlog, Panchayat S: |, Block Theog Govardhan Klanta, Village Sojla, Panchayat Barthata, Block Jubbal Mehar Singh Chauhan, Village Patala, Panchayat Solang, Block Jubbal Pradeep Verma, Village Ulga, Panchayat Deorighat, Block Theog Mahila Karishak Samooh, Village Rathi, Panchayat Bhalada, Block Rohru Rajpal, Village & Panchayat Bhutti, Block Narkanda Abhay Rathore, Village & Panchayat Kolda, Block JubbalPalekar’s lecture becomes a Turning point for him Subhash Shadru Mobile : 70181-94064 chance exposure to Subhash Palekar’s Jecture on natural farming in Haridwar in 2013 became a turning point for Subhash Shadru, 38, an apple orchardist from Shaktinagar in Rohroo block of Shimla district. “Lwas already in search of an alternate. With chemical use, 5-7 plants were dying in my orchard every year. I had even tried organic farming, but 1 found ita costly venture, In such a state, the Palekar natural farming method came as a ray of hope for me and I kept trying it in bits and pieces on patches of land after studying some literature,” he said. Shadru’s confidence increased when Palekar ‘ed his farm after the launch of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming project (SPNF) in Himachal Pradesh in 2018 and he was called to share his experiences of farming at a camp in Gwas in Rohroo. “I was not very sure initially when other farmers inquired about natural farming from me However, after Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project officials nominated me for participation in the training camp at UHF Nauni and then 6 day training by Subhash Palekar at Kufri under this project, there was no looking back,” he narrated. He said after this he sold off his Jersey cow and brought desi (indigenous) cow on his farm. Shadru said he had first started natural farming on 4 bigha of land and when he got good results, he slowly brought the entire land under SPNF. 7 years on, Subhash Shadru, a fruit and vegetable grower, has completely shifted to non- chemical natural farming on his farm measuring & bigha. A matriculate but progressive in approach, he is not only reaping good benefits on his farm, he is also inspiring many other farmers in the area to follow suit vis He is growing different varieties of apples, stone fruits including Almonds & Apricot, seasonal vegetables, pulses like Rajmash and Kulth, He has tied up with customers in different cities, including, Mumbai, Pune, for his natural produce, mainly apples, besides with a bigger buyer for natural apples. “The natural farming method has reduced my input cost drastically as I do not use chemicals at ali now. I make everything from the cow’s urine and dung on my farm. Lam happy that my production and profits are more now and the produce is nutritious 6 vt —~ 8 |. see gpandhealthy,” he said. “The apples grown in my orchard could largely sustain the stress of inclement weather. My apples may not shine like those grown with chemical use, but have a better shelf life,” he added. He said there was lot of opposition at home when he talked about adopting SPNF concept initially as everyone was apprehensive that it would result in losses. “Once they saw the benefits, they supported me,” hesaid, Shadru’s wife and mother work with him in the farm, which includes a kitchen garden, whe grows vegetables, fruits and cereals for home consumption, and livestock. The grower could save the money that he used to spend on the chemicals for farming earlier and boughta grading machine of Rs 4.5 lakh last year. “This could be possible only because of natural farming. I am doing natural farming i garden also and have negligible dependence on market for consumption at home now,” he said. e Rohroo farmer has so far sensitised 1200 growers in SPNF under Prakritik Kheti Khushhal he kitchen Kisan Yojana of Himachal Pradesh government. 40 fruit growers are doing natural farming under his guidance, “SPNF is good for the hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh. It benefits the farmers and the consumers, both,” he said, calling for the need of more awareness on the concept. Apples grown in my orchard with natural farming could largely sustain the stress of inclement weather and the production has increased substantially in three years. Details ‘Total land- 8 bigha | Land under natural farming- 8 a| Altitude of the orchard- 1550 metre Fruits and crops- Apples (Royal Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith), Maize, Peas, Rajmash, Potatoes Chemical Farming- Expenditure ~ Rs 90,000, Income- Rs 1,50,000 Natural Farming- Expenditure - Rs 6,500 Income- Rs 5,00,000A shift to natural farming has furthered his resolve to be an agriculturist Suresh Mobile : 94180-48485 ‘We needs to create more awareness as not all the buyers realise the value of natural produce. ee always attracted him more than a job and he is happy that he took the right decision tobe a farmer 15 years back. A graduate with diploma in computers, Suresh, 38, is a leading vegetable grower in Tabhog village in Totu block in Shimla district and a shift to natural farming has probably furthered his resolve to beanagriculturist. Suresh, who used chemical sprays for vegetables, fruits and other crops earlier, had been continuously surfing new methods of agriculture on internet for better growth. He saw videos of Rajeev Dikshit and then Subhash Palekar on non chemical farming 6-7 years ago. This motivated him and after in-depth study, he gradually started shifting to non-chemical natural farming on his farm where he grows Capsicum, Tomatoes, French Beans, Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Potatoes, Plums and Pomegranate etc. In 2018, he came in contact with the Agriculture department's Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project and was sent to Jhansi for 6 day training camp addressed by Subhash Palekar. “Thad also done organic farming in the past, but that involved very high costs. Then I did natural farming in my own ways by learning through videos But the training camp removed all the doubts in my mind and I took to the natural farming in letter and spirit on my land measuring 5 bigha,” he said. Suresh, whose parents and wife, also work on the farm, said the natural farming not only increased his income and reduced input costs, but gave his family an opportunity to provide chemical free naturally produced quality vegetables to consumers. He has two ‘desi’ cows. In July, 2019, the then Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Devvrat and Subhash Palekar had visited his farm along with 300 farmers from HP and other states Both of them were impressed with my vegetable farm and the usage of land with multiple cropping. While Acharya Devvrat told me that he had felt such a fragrance of tomatoes after childhood, Palekar lauded me for the effort and instantly remarked in a filmy style- ‘Mogambo Khush Hua’,” Suresh narrated He said he later got a call from the Raj Bhawan that the tomatoes he had gifted on the day ofvisit were as fresh even after 22 days “See the shelf life of tomatoes produced by natural farming,” he said, Suresh has now brought entire 6 bigha land under natural farming. He cultivates vegetables in three green houses in 1.5 bigha totally with natural farming method with no chemical use. He said he has been in touch with consumers through WhatsApp group and drops fresh vegetables even doorto door in Shimla, Inthis era of hybrids, Suresh, with a group of farmers, is conserving the ‘desi’ seeds as well and have arepository of 25 traditional seeds. The group has also been given subsidy under the project for resource storage, wherein they make inputs fornatural farming forsale to other farmers. Suresh, who is the President of a farmers’ organisation ‘Sudiksha’, with 300 members, is working actively to promote natural farming, A master trainer for Palekar natural farming, he has trained large number of farmers so far. “Our village is doing SPNF in Basantpur block. Our next target is to get our Panchayat (Pahal) a model fornon chemical natural farming, he said. My real success was when I got acall from Raj Bhawan that the tomatoes of my farm were as ‘fresh after 22 days Details Total land- 6 bigha | Land under natural farming- 6 bigha Fruits and vegetables- Plum, Pomegranate, Capsicum (Shimla Mirch), Bitter Gourd, Pumpkin, Tomato, Potato, Radish Chemical farming. Expenditure: Rs 45,000, Income: Rs 3,20,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 5,500, Income: Rs 4,50,000== A qualified ‘Advocate’ of natural farming Manoj Sharma Mobile : 98166-04686 Apples produced by Natural Farming are good in taste n advocate by education, Manoj Sharma, 46, from Thalog village in Chopal block of Shimla district had been doing chemical farming of apples, vegetables and pulses like other growers for over two decades. ‘When he faced problems, he tried organic farming on apart ofhis land. He, however, found that even the organic farming did not yield desired results, so he searched more and got to know natural farming as a good alternative. In 2016, he partially started with natural farming on a patch of land. In 2018, he got formal training in Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) concept at Kufti that encouraged him to understand it better. He took to natural farming in 15 bigha of land after this “T consider myself fortunate that I shifted to non chemical farming SPNF,” Manoj said. He said though apple production has not increased much in two years time and he may have got the same price as the apples produced by chemical farming, the input costs came down in natural farming. “The input cost for 1200 plants by chemical farming in my orchard was around Rs 60,000. It has, reduced to half now. More so, the apples in my orchard were not hit by bad weather or diseases like scab. The fruit was good in taste and had better shelf life, The people will gradually understand the value ofnatural produce with awareness,” he added. Manoj, who had been growing wheat, maize, pulses, soyabean, millets, red rice and seasonable vegetables apart from apples, earlier focussed more on apple cultivation and a couple of other cash crops during the chemical farming days because of high input costs. However, after he switched to natural farming, he is now taking one after other crop and the profits have increased. “I can now think of adding on ‘many things. [ have already started cultivating some varieties of traditional food grains like ogla, koda, pahati kulth, medicinal (anti-diabetic) barley ete for conservation. Some of them are near extinction, but they can sustain better with natural farming. I got some of these seeds from adjoining state Uttarakhand,” he said. He said since he is now able to save money on inputs compared with chemical farming and now replacing the Pahari cow on his farm with Sahiwal cow forbetter milk production,Manoj was picked up as a trainer by the state Agriculture department after he got the training from Subhash Palekar in a camp. He has already created awareness among many farmers in 13-14 camps held in the nearby Panchayats. “The growers are quite enthusiastic about natural farming and have already started it in part of their land, I am sure they will completely switch to this non chemical farming as soon as they get good results in the field,” he said. Although I got the same price of natural apples in ‘mandi’ as produced by chemical farming, my input cost at t fe farm has reduced to half. Details Total land- 23 bigha | Land under Natural farming- 15 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2,700 metre Fruits and erops- Apple varieties (Royal, Golden, Red Golden, King Roat), Pear, Plum, Maize, Wheat, Groundnut, Koda, Soyabean, Peas, Red Rice, White Rice, Rajmash, Brinjal and Capsicum (Shimla Mirch) Chemical Farming- Expenditure: Rs 1,00000, Income: Rs7,00,000 Natural Farming- Expenditure: Rs 45,000, Income: Rs 9,00,000ne ae Profits apart, SPNF came as life saving option for her Satya Devi Mobile : 94597-27044 ‘The Natural Farming method has increased my income 6GFor me, Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) is life saving, besides being a profitable option,” said Satya Devi, 44, an apple grower from Lafughati village in Theog block in Shimla district. Unlettered Satya Devi has an apple orchard on 2 bighas. She has been managing it all alone with chemical farming all through for livelihood. Just few years ago, she had a major health problem with the chemicals she was spraying in the apple orchards and the doctor advised her to stop using the chemicals. “Ido much of the work in orchard myself as labour availability is limited. However, when I had health issues because of chemical sprays, it depressed meas apple orchard was the only source of income for me and my daughter. It also made me think the effect of such apples on those who eat. But there was no option,” she narrated, However, when Satya Devi, the Mahila Mandal Pradhan in her village, came across information about Palekar natural farming concept in Himachal Pradesh in 2018 through Agriculture department, she hada reason to get inquisitive, “I took part in the two-day camp on SPNF in my Panchayat and decided to take to natural farming, It gave me a way out to manage the orchard safely,” she said She said after this she started using natural farming inputs like Jeevaamrit, Ghan Jeevaamrit, Dashpami Ark, made from ‘desi’ cow’s urine and dung on certain plants in her orchard. Satisfied with the success, Satya Devi completely shifted to SPNF on entire land in 2019 and started growing apples, peas, potatoes, rajmash and French bean with non chemical natural farming, She said this brought down the input cost in her orchard from Rs 20,000 (which was mainly incurred on chemical fertilisers and pesticides) to around Rs, 2000. She said the production of apples in her orchard has increased from 50 to 180 boxes (20 kilograms in one box) and the SPNF saved her apples, from damage by hail and pests also. “The natural farming technique has increased my income,”she said, keenly reiterating that she is so satisfied now that she is giving chemical free healthy fruit to the consumers. “[ have a Pahari cow. I make the naturalfarming inputs from cow urine and dung myself. Iwill even start making these inputs for other farmers also,” sheadded. Satya Devi’s apple orchard is a centre of attraction for people, including political leaders and officers, in the area. Even the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Theog visited her orchard to see how she was doing SPNF. e ml rs A ler e _ > wv Dar Jar Ww, Tt gives me a special feel when people talk about my apple orchard as a model of PaleKar natural farming. I want to create awareness on SPNF concept and tell people how healthy option is this to cultivate and consume the natural produce. Details Total land- 2 bigha | Land under natural farming- 2 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2300 metre Fruits and erops- Apple varieties (Golden, Red Golden, Royal), Peas, Potatoes, Coriander, Rajmash and French Bean Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 20,000, Income: Rs 1,00,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 2,000, Income: Rs 1,15,000He picked up the idea of natural farming from YouTube first Anil Biswan Mobile : 86280-26010 ‘The best part is that SPNF does not require anything ‘from outside except for basan and gud JNG Kumar Biswan, 38, of Khabal village in remote Chirgaon block in Shimla district had been using chemicals on his farm all through, Over the years, he analysed that the income from apple orchard was stagnant and the apple trees, were dying of disease one after another. Looking for some answers to this problem on internet, he came across a video about non chemical natural farming on YouTube and decided to try it on his farm. Biswan first started it in 2015 in its and bits on a small chunk of apple orchard and on vegetable crops like peas by learning to make natural farming inputs from YouTube only. He had a cross of Jersey cow at his farm then and was not clear about the concept of natural farming. The results were although good than chemical farming. In 2017, he got a chance to attend a two-day camp by Subhash Palekar on natural farming in Haryana Agriculture University, Hissar and then in 2018 at Nauniin Solan district. He also got to know about the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana’ in Himachal Pradesh and attended a six-day camp by Subhash Palekar on natural farming at Kufti, After getting equipped with proper knowledge on Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method, he tested it on 4 bigha and later brought entire 30 bigha land underit. He is now growing apples (20 bigha), vegetables and cereals with natural farming and is happy with the switch over. “[ have got four ‘Pahari’ cows.The apples produced by SPNF are high quality with good taste, colour and size. The apple production has also increased by 650-700 boxes (20 kilograms each) in my orchard over last three years,” Biswan said. He said the best part about the SPNF is that everything is made on the farm and it does not require anything from outside except for ‘besan’ (Gram pulse flour) and ‘gud’ (jaggery). “Earlier I had to borrow money for buying chemical fertilizers and pesticides and I would return it only after the produce was sold. I do not have to spend a penny on chemicals now with SPNF. I am growing chemical free fruits, vegetables and cereals, ‘The expenditure on my farm has come down from Rs 70,000 to Rs 10,000,” he said.Biswan sends consignments of natural apples to Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra by train from Kalka and is getting good price. “These apples fetch anything like Rs 150 a kilogram,” he said. Biswan is creating awareness among growers in the area about SPNF and has so far helped 200 growers do this switch-overto non chemical natural farming. Earlier I had to borrow money ‘for buying chemical fertilizers and pesticides and I would return it only after the produce was sold. In SPNG, I do not have to spend a penny on chemicals and the input cost has come down significantly. Details Total land- 30 bigha | Land under natural farming- 30 bigha | Altitude of the orehard- 2286 metre Fruits and crops- Apple varieties (Red Gold, Royal Delicious, Spur), Peas, Rajmash, Koda, Chulayee and Wheat Chemical farming - Expenditure: Rs 70,000, Income: Rs 4,50,000 Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 5,000, Income: Rs 8,00,000Retired engineer takes to SPNF, improves farm Bhagat Singh Rana Mobile : 78070-22516 Since i shifted to SONG, things are improving on my farm hagat Singh Rana of Sandasu village in Chirgaon block of Shimla district has chosen not to relax even after his retirement from government job in 2017, ‘The former Junior Engineer with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) is instead busy working hard to improve the agriculture fields back home. Rana, who had been in touch with his farm even while in the job, always wanted to shed the use of chemicals in farming, He had been experimenting natural farming in small portion of land for last five- six years by one or the other method, updating his knowledge from internet. However, he could actually fulfill his wish to go for non chemical farming fully in his farm of 25, bigha, where he grows apples, other fruits, vegetables and traditional cereals, when he attended a six-day camp on Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) at Kufti through Agriculture department in 2018. Subhash Palekar had himself given training to the farmers in that camp. “[ always wanted to do natural farming as I had noticed that production was going down on my land over the years with chemical use. The land looked dried up and the crops suffered because of so many diseases every year,” said Rana, Rana said that since he shifted to SPNF completely, things are improving on his farm. “I have got four Sahiwal cows at farm. I don’t use any chemical for cultivation of apples, vegetables or any other crop and make every input from cow’s urine and dung. It has reduced the expenses on my farm drastically,” he said, He said with natural farming inputs, the land has recovered from the damage done due to chemicals and itis fertile again. “The apple plants in my orchard are small, But they are showing better growth and the fruit is good in colour, size and taste.” Rana sold his apples for Rs 180 a kilogram at World Organic Expo-2019 that stamped his faith on the SPNF even more. “With the consumption of ‘desi’ cow’s milk, the health of my family members is also showing improvement,” he said. Supported by Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project, he has opened a resource store for SPNF inputs, which hegives. free to the willing farmers. He also runs a Gau Shala where he has given shelter to 35 stray cattle. Rana’s objective is to help more and more farmers shift to SPNF now: Total Land- 25 bigha | Under natural farming- 25 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1752 metre Fruits and crops- Apple varieties (Red Super Chief, Royal Delie e -gon Spur), Pear, Plum, Peach, Maize, Wheat, Koda, Cabbage, Peas, Rajmash -mical farming- Expenditure: Rs 80,000, Income: Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 1000, Income.A soldier’s spirit to serve the nation as a farmer now Rajpal Gejta Mobile : 82192-35127 Nera from Astani village in Rohroo Ae of Shimla district, Rajpal Gejta has carried forward his spirit to serve the nation in agriculture fields as well after retirement. And he is, doing so by producing chemical free fruits and vegetables, “By using chemicals, we are only growing poison and are playing with health of people in the state and the nation. We need a new agriculture method, which is environment friendly and yields healthy produce. The Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) fulfils this need,” Gejta said. Back home after retirement in 2010, Gejta started paying attention towards his apple orchard in the village and kept following the chemical farming for eight years, Over the years, he felt that the production was stagnant and the fertility of land was going down. The expenditure on orchard was increasing day by day as more and more chemicals were used, which he knew, were hazardous for health. In 2018, Gejta got to know from the Agriculture department’s Block Technology Manager (BTM) with Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project of Agriculture department about natural farming. After getting preliminary information on this, he attended a six-day training camp at Kufri on Subhash Palekar ‘Natural Farming (SPNF). Afer this camp, he brought a Red Sindhi cow from Punjab and made SPNF inputs from the cow's, urine and dung and used them on part of his farm. The quality of soil showed signs of improvement. He switched to multiple-cropping pattem and sowed Peas, Rajmash, Mustard and Sunflower in the orchard. This gave the desired nutrition to the apple plants also and they grew better. “When I started doing SPNF, the people in the village used to bet with me that it will not yield good results, But when I got good, disease free produce, all of them were surprised,” he shared. He said the same people are now coming to his orchard to learn the Palekar natural farming method. The horticulture department officials, the organisations and companies based on horticulture and some researchers are visiting his orchard to see the miracle. “The support of family members is very —important if we have to follow SPNF completely as it requires time. My wife helps me in the farm,” the orchardist said. ‘The people, who used to bet with me that SPNF will not give desired results in the orchard, are surprised at the outcome. ‘The same people are now coming to my orchard to learn the method. Details Total land- 12 bigha | Land under natural farming- 5.5 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1876 metre Fruits and erops- Apple varieties (Red Super Chief, Royal Delicious, Red Chief, Oregon Spur, Red Cap, Scarlet-2, Scarlet-3, King Roat, Gale, Gala, Fuji), Maize, Peas, Rajmash and Sunflower Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 60,000, Income: Rs 5,00,000 Natural farming- Rs 10,000, Income: Rs 8,00,000SPNF has brought buyers to his orchard Surender Mehta Mobile : 85447-29728 F this farmer from Lalpani Dochi village in Chopal block of Shimla district, the Subhash Palekar Natural farming (SPNF) concept came as a welcome option forhealth reasons, to begin with, Surender Mehta, 36, who left his job of a diploma engineer with a reputed company in 2005, grew fruits vegetables with chemical farming method for around ten years. However, the use of chemicals in the orchard created health problems forhim and he suffered from pain in eyes, headache and giddiness. Mehta had to be hospitalised once when he fell unconscious after chemical spray in his orchard. “It took me 13 days to recover. When I came back home from the hospital, I at once decided that I will not do chemical farming as I can neither put my health into risk nor of others,” Mehta narrated. He said he had first decided to go for organic farming of fruits and vegetables. However, after some years, he found that the expenses of compost, fertilisers and bio pesticides were increasing constantly in the organic farming. “It became a matter of financial concer for the family,” he said, As Mehta was just struggling to find a way out, he got to know about natural farming from another orchardist. For detailed information, he contacted the Agriculture department officials. Later, the Block Technology Manager (BTM)/Assistant Technology Manager( ATM) under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project of the department nominated him for a six-day training camp at Kufti on SPNF in 2018. “Subhash Palekar gave me the concept and training which Iwas looking for,” Mehta said. Without wasting time after the camp, Mehta immediately made the natural farming inputs from the urine and dung of ‘desi’ cow, which he already had at home, and sprayed them on the farm. Mehta said he got very good results in the first year in 2018 from Palekar natural farming. “There was drop in diseases on the apple crop and the soil quality also showed signs of improvement. The fruit size, shape and colour improved,” he said. ‘The SPNF reduced Mehta’s expenditure on 4.5 bigha of orchard by seven times. With inter-cropping as a part of SPNF, heproduced peas, rajmash, lentil (masoor) and horse gram (Kulth) in the orchard. In 2020, he got 251 boxes of apple (20 kilograms cach) and 200 boxes of pear from his orchard. The best part is that he does not have to run around in ‘mandis’ to sell his fruits. The buyers have now started coming to his orchard and are giving him good prices. His apple was bought by a Delhi based company and pears by a big fruit vegetables buyer from Rajasthan, Mehta has also been giving SPNF training to farmers in the Panchayats around, who have evinced great interest in this non chemical natural farming. He is listed as a trainer with the Agriculture department and his orchard is being used a training spot forPalekar natural farming. I fell sick. by spraying chemicals in the orchard and was hospitalised for 13 days. ‘That time I had decided that I will not use chemicals on my orchard any more as I can neither put my health at risk, nor of others. Details Total land- 4.5 bigha | Land under natural farming- 2.5 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1498 metres Fruits and crops-Apple varieties (Scarlet-2, Jeromine, Kind Roat, Super Chief, Granny Smith, Red Golden, Gale Gala and Washington-B), Pears, Peas, Rajshmash, Koda, Barley, Masoor, Soyabean and Maize Chemical farming- Expenditure- Rs 70,000, Income- Rs 1,15,000 ‘Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 10,000, Income- Rs 2,00,000Natural farming gives her new hope Sushma Chauhan Mobile : 85809-92527 Ican see the difference in quality of soil and plants with natural farming ushma Chauhan, 40 year old woman from apple grower belt of Shillaru in Shimla district cautiously shifted to Subhash Palekar ‘Natural Farming (SPNF) on a part of her family orchard in 2019. She was looking for a viable alternative in view of increasing costs and excessive use of chemical pesticides on apples and other fruits, and her search stopped at Palekar natural farming, It checked the cost of inputs to a great extent and gave heranon chemical option to grow fruits. A graduate, Sushma is fond of horticulture since childhood and is handling 50 bigha orchard with herhusband and sister in law. “I am doing SPNF on 5 bigha, which includes cultivation of apple, cherry, plum and some other fruits. We have taken one crop with natural farming and results are good. While it gave us healthy fruit, it saved money on inputs,” explained Sushma. She revealed that against the expenditure of Rs 40,000 with chemical farming on 5 bigha, she spent only Rs 2,000 on inputs on the same land with natural farming, Sushma took six-day training in SPNF first at Nauni in Solan district. When she decided to adopt it fully on a patch of land, she bought a ‘desi’ cow for this and started making all inputs from cow’s urine and dung “Ian see the difference in quality of soil and the plants in 5 bigha orchard with non chemical natural farming in short period,” she said. She hastened to add that when she switched to this concept of farming, she was quite apprehensive. “However I am getting confident of this non chemical natural farming with each passing day. am really happy that I am cultivating natural produce, which is healthy to eat,” she said. She said she could effectively control diseases on fruit plants with Jeevaamrit, Saunthastr and ‘Khatti Lassi’ Sushma said her family has also willingly adopted the Palekar natural farming and is supporting her in the endeavour, “My sister in laws Kala Chauhan helps me a lot in preparing the inputs and spraying them in the orchard,” she said.“But will still wait for some time, before I bring more area under SPNF,” she held. IT was apprehensive when I shifted to SPNF on 5 bigha. However I am getting confident of the results of this non chemical natural farming with each passing day, Details Total land- 50 bigha | Land under natural farming- 5 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2,400 metre Fruits and crops- Apple, Cherry, Rajmash, Plum and Maize Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 40,000, Income: Rs 2,50,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 2,000, Income: Rs 3,00,000Palekar farming revives his connect with the nature Jeet Singh Mobile : 70180-10743 A buyer from Rajasthan bought my apples for & 160 per kg during covid times the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) has revived my connect with the nature, Lam happy that [ am producing natural fruits without any chemical sprays now and am reaping profits too,” said Jeet Singh, an apple orchardist from ‘Nerwa Panchayat in Shimla district. He had decided to shift to SPNF on 6 bigha apple orchard in 2018, impressed by the details shared by the then Governor Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Devvrat and Subhash Palekar on the conceptat a two-day workshop in Gwas in Rohroo. Jeet Singh said he had brought some books on the natural farming concept after this workshop and had started making inputs from ‘desi’ cow urine and dung at home. He faced some problems initially regarding the process to make natural farming inputs and their spray for lack of knowledge. But with the help of BTM/ATM with Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project of Agriculture department, he could do all the things with perfection. Jeet Singh, 49, owns 30 bigha of orchard, He shared that there is visible decline in the diseases on 6 bigha patch under SPNF and the production has increased, With chemical farming, he was producing 150 boxes of apple (20 kilograms in one box) from this orchard, but after shifting to non chemical Palekar natural farming, the production has gone up 10366 boxes. “In 2018, I got 300 apple boxes from the 6 bigha orchard, in 2019 the production was 360 boxes and in 2020, it was 366 boxes. Since I shifted to SPNF, the expenditure has come down from Rs 11,500 per bigha to Rs 800 per bigha. This saving, apart, the inter-cropping has also raised the income Since I have started growing pulses, the requirement of ‘besan’ (gram pulse flour) for making Jeevaamrit isalso met from the home only,” Jeet Singh said. He said in 2020, when the apple production in the area was lesser for different reasons and the growers had to bear losses due to diseases, the crop onhis land under SPNF was good. “A buyer from Rajasthan bought my apple for Rs 160 a kilogram during Covid times,” he said, adding that some buyers have started coming to his, orchards well. He said with savings from natural farming,he has now decided to replace the old and weak apple plants with Granny Smith variety, which is in demand, Jeet Singh is also a trainer with the Agriculture department for SPNF and has created awareness among over 150 farmers in the area on this technique. “One can easily find the difference in the apples (the quality, taste, colour and shape) that I produce with SPNF and the others with chemical farming in my orchard. Natural farming requires hard work on farm but the produce is 100% natural and good for both the farmer and the consumer. The new generation does not want to do that,” he said. Jeet Singh does everything himself on 6 bigha from making natural farming inputs to spraying them. ‘He plansto bring more land under SPNF inthe years to come. In 2020, when the apple production was lesser in the area for different reasons and the apple growers had to bear losses because of diseases, the crop in my orchard under SPNF was good. Details Total land- 30 bigha | Land under natural farming- 6 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1700 metre Fruits and crops- Apple varieties (Red Golden, Royal Delicious, Spur), Peas, Rajmash, Chulaee, Koda and Wheat Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 70,000, Income: Rs 2,00,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 5,000, Income: Rs 4,50,000SPNF pays him off in many ways Surat Ram Mobile : 98050-23128 Better marketing system for natural produce will help farmers reap more profit is readiness to leam and follow new methods in his apple orchard actually drew him towards the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) and ithas paid him off. Surat Ram Sharma, 47, from Kedi Panchayat of Chopal block in Shimla district is a progressive farmer in the area, who, after getting hands on training at the 6 day camp on SPNF at Kufti in 2018, decided to follow it on entire land, where he grows apples, vegetables and cereals. “Whatever I learntat the camp from Subhash Palekar, it sounded good and profitable. So I thought of adopting the model as I already had ‘desi’ cow at home . I did not have problems in making the inputs, like Jeevaamrit and other solutions with cow urine and dung for spray in the farm,” Surat Ram said, He said he used all those inputs first on the diseased and weak apple plants and when he saw the improvement, he used them in the entire orchard. “Lwas doing chemical farming for past two decades. But now I am growing apples (750 plants), pear (150 plants) by following this non-chemical natural farming method.” The results are far better in SPNF than chemical farming. I don’t have to incur any cost on chemicals now, which is a pure saving,” he said. Surat Ram said the natural inputs like Brahmastra, Dashpami Ark, Khatti Lassi, Saunthastr and Jeevaamrit have controlled the diseases that used to damage fruit and vegetable crops in routine. “When apple crop in the area was inflicted by apple scab, my orchard did not have any such problem. White Fly and Powdery mildew was a common problem in my apple orchard when I was doing chemical farming. No chemical spray could check that. But Khatti Lassi and Jeevaamrit have been able to control these problems,” he said. Surat Ram has since produced cash crops of peas, rajmash and French Beans successfully from his farm, apart from apples, by following SPNF. The naturally produced fruits and vegetables have a different and good taste and have bettershelflife,” he said. He, however, said better marketing systems for the natural produce with time will help the farmers reap more profits. He has so far trained 500 farmers in this nonchemical natural farming method in the area and has distributed several handwritten pamphlets about SPNE, Asmany as 20 farmers are doing SPNF under his guidance. T would urge all the farmers to adopt SONG as it is cost-effective saving and gives us pure natural produce. They should atleast experiment this non chemical natural farming on the vegetables and fruits grown for their own consumption. Details Total land- 12 bigha | Land under natural farming- 12 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1700 metre Fruits and vegetables- Apple varieties (Red Golden, Royal Delicious, Super Chief, Red Velox, Redlem Gala, Granny Smith and Red Fuji), Peas, Rajmash, Koda, Chulaee, Wheat, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Bitter Gourd and Shimla Mirch (Capsicum) Chemical Farming- Expenditure- Rs 80,000, Income- Rs 6,00,000 Natural Farming- Expenditure- Rs 5000, Income: 8,00,000Skeptical, IAS officer adopts natural farming after convincing results J C Sharma ‘The high density apple cultivation with SPNG is a step forward to change the economic fate of Himachal Pradesh WV Ten the natural farming project started in Himachal Pradesh in 2018, there was lot of opposition and questioning from different quarters. A senior IAS officer, Jagdish Chander Sharma, who is currently Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister in Himachal Pradesh, too was one among those who took the concept with a pinch of salt initially. It was justified on his part in a way as he is among few orchardists in the state, who have gone forhigh density apple cultivation that involves huge expenditure to begin with. Sharma has 1400 apple plants in his orchard near Theog. The officers with the natural farming project kept persuading the IAS officer, but tono avail. In February 2019, Sharma agreed to adopt Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method n39 apple plants first. The sucess on this lot did impress him and the very next year, he converted the entire orchard, all the 1400 plants in high density, to natural farming. Since Sharma had taken natural farming method as a challenge, he kept entire account of the crop per bigha to work out relevance of this method. He revealed that in chemical farming with expenditure of Rs 17,778 per bigha in his orchard, the income was Rs 1,01,333. With while in the SPNF, this expenditure came down to Rs 10,083 and income wentto Rs 1,13,300. Sharma gifted the apples of his orchard to Governor, Shri Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister, Shri Jai Ram Thakur and apprised them of the quality improvement in soil, plants and the fruits with natural farming method, He said with natural farming, the cost of cultivation is continuously decreasing and at the same time production is increasing. Sharma said the apples produced by natural farming fetched a price of Rs 3000 a box (20 kilograms each) in the market. He is now suggesting the orchardists in the state to keep indigenous cow, adopt natural farming and convert the orchards into high density like apple growers in the Western countries have done, He has a long personal experience of horticulture, floriculture, sericulture and mushroomcultivation as a government officer and a farmer and he can say for sure that with natural farming, itis easier and profitable to develop a high density apple orchard. The Governor and the Chief Minister appreciated his efforts and said it was an inspiring sui story forall the apple orchardists. The Chief Minister said this initiative is an exemplary step in the direction ofmaking agriculture and horticulture chemical free in Himachal Pradesh. et T have been a horticulturist so it is impossible for me to believe anything without evidence. The quality produce has proved that PaleKar concept of natural farming is not just a matter of cow urine or dung, it is a scientific methodology. Details Total land- 6 bigha | Under natural farming- 6 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2100 metre Fruits and crops- Apple, Peas and Beans Chemical farming- Expenditure- Rs 1,06,668, Income: Rs 6,07,998 Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 60,498, Income: Rs 6,79,800Apple grower owes his success to natural farming Ravinder Chauhan Mobile : 98822-13387 Natural farming has given me identity of a successful apple grower. It has brought positive changes in my orchard just three years. R: inder Chauhan, 37 of Samoli anchayat in Rohroo block of Shimla district had left his government school job of a Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT- medical) after three years in 2008 to take care of the apple orchard back home. Gradually he realised that with chemical sprays, the plants were getting more and more diseases and then to control those diseases, he was, using more chemicals. In financial stress due to problems in the orchard, he had to even resume teaching by opening a private academy. Ashe was continuously on the lookout to find alternate to chemical use, a relative of Ravinder suggested him to use cow urine and dung spray for his apple plants. ‘This controlled the problems like Wooly Aphid, Mite and Canker to an extent in the farm and he leftusing chemicals, In 2018, the apple grower attended a 2 day workshop by Padamshree Subhash Palekar and the then Governor, Acharya Devyrat in Rohroo. “When they elaborated the need, method and advantage of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) at the workshop, I could see a ray of hope for my orchard,” said Ravinder. Later, he attended a 6 day training workshop in Kufti on SPNF by Subhash Palekar which cleared more doubts for him, This orchardist adopted SPNF on a smaller patch first, and then switched to this non chemical natural farming on entire 8 bigha land. He is doing it for 3 years now and his wife, a computer operator, helps him in the orchard. “[have got two ‘desi cows’ and we make all the natural farming inputs at home. The use of inputs like Jeevaamrit, Ghanjeevaamrit, Khatti Lassi, Saunthastr and Darshpamni Ark has improved the soil quality and checked pests and diseases in the orchard. The method is cost effective, the production has increased, Its shape, colour, size and taste has improved,” he said. “The SPNF has built up my distinct image in the local as well as outside market. This year I have got enough buyers from Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi,” he added. Ravinder got high price of apples in the year 2020 (when the overall production in the state waslesser) and sold the fruit at Rs 3000 per box (20 kilograms in one box) on an average, with some consignments fetching him Rs 4000 perbox. Having got a boost with this, he is developing another apple orchard at on altitude of 2500 metre, wherein heis growing rajmash, peas, and coriander along with apples. He shared that the chemical sprays visibly affected family’s health also as the orchard was nearby home. “With non chemical natural farming, there is no health hazard and I don’t hesitate sending my 9 year old son for spray in orchard,” he added. The officials with Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project have made Ravindera master trainer for SPNF and he has so far been created awareness among 150 farmers on this non- chemical natural farming, Many orchardists, who are solely dependent on apple cultivation for their livelihood, are still apprehensive of adopting SENG, fearing losses. Details Total land- 8 bigha | Land under natural farming- 8 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1600 metre Fruits and crops- Apple varieties (Royal Delicious, Gala, Grenny Smith), Maize, Peas, Rajmash, Sunflower Chemical farming- Expenditure- Rs 90,000, Income: Rs 3,60,000 Natural farming: Expenditure- Rs 6500, Income: 5,00,000Reaping the fruits of natural farming in adverse conditions Tilak Raj Mobile : 86289-52850 lak Raj, 50, from Mogda Panchayat in Narkanda in Shimla district had incidentally learnt about natural farming, while he went to Karnal for training in dairy farming in2016. A scientist told him about the natural farming method and suggested him to visit Gurukul in Kurukshetra to get more information about it “I went to Kurukshetra with other farmer friends to know more about non chemical natural farming. I brought some literature on the method from there and tried to make inputs from cow urine and dung by reading them,” he said While he was just making up his mind to try the new method on his orchard- his sole livelihood- he got the another chance to attend a training workshop on Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method at Nauni University in Solan district in2018, Afier this he adopted SPNF on 20 apple plants and some vegetables in the kitchen garden, When he got positive results, he took the natural farming to his 12 bigha orchard. “already had Pahari cow at home so a shift to this method became easy for me. The use of natural farming inputs like Jeevaamrit, Ghanjeevaamrit, Saptdhanyankur Ark improved the health of my orchard and fruits. I also benefitted by taking multiple crops from the same land as per SPNF,” he said. Tilak Raj said he could see the difference in natural farming and chemical farming quite clearly, “I sowed peas with natural farming and my neighbour did it with chemical farming method, Even with lesser water availability for irrigation, I got good crop of peas, but the crop at my neighbour's farm dried up and damaged,” he said. I can surely say that natural farming is a successful method even in dry weather and water deficient soil, ‘The orchardist said most people in his village (Hathiya) are dependent on apple cultivation for their livelihood, “The chemical farming involves more expenditure and lesser production. In the year 2020, there was very less production of apples due to adverse weather, But I did not suffer much loss, as I am doing non-chemical natural farming, which does not require inputs from outside. I saved the money spent on chemical fertilisers and pesticides by otherfarmers who are still into chemical farming,” he said, Tilak Raj has five ‘Pahari’ cows (two calfs) and an ox at his orchard. He said ‘Pahari’ cows are in abundance in his Panchayat and he is providing them to farmers from other districts in the state also. ssful grower \d is spreading awareness among other farmers on. very soon,” he said. Pahari cow is in abundance in my area. I am providing pahari cows to farmers across state. It seems that farmers have decided to shift to this farming technique Details ‘Total land- 20 bigha | Under natural farming- 12 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2781 metres Fruits and erops- Apple varieties (Jeromine, Red Velox, King Roat, Tideman, Gale Gala), Plum, Peach, Maize, Rajmash, Peas, Wheat, Barley, Lady's finger, Brinjal, Garlic. Chemical farming- Expenditure Rs 20,000, Income: Rs 1,50,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 2500, Income: Rs 2,50,000~~ i Big apple grower sheds use of chemicals, draws satisfaction and returns Surender Pirta Mobile : 98177-18070 lost effective Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) is not only helping the small and marginal growers earn better, it has gathered the attention of big orchardists as well. Surender Pirta,53, from Chamshu in Jubal area in Shimla district produces more than 3000 apple boxes (20 kilograms each) every year and has, keenly shifted to natural farming on 55 bigha orchard. Pirta said he had been watching programmes on different methods of farming to shun chemical use for 7-8 years and had been trying the method in bitsand pieces. “With chemical sprays, the expenditure was increasing every year, whereas the production was stagnant. The fruit produced was also not healthy due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. So I always thought of alternatives,” Pirta said. He said one day he was just watching a video on natural farming on YouTube and came across an interview of the then Himachal Governor Acharya Devvratin 2018. ““L was impressed with that. I searched more literature and got in touch with the Agriculture department officers at the block level. They sent me to a six-day training camp on SPNF by Subhash Palekar at Kufti, which clarified my doubts,” he said. He said the training convinced him about the merits of SPNF vis a vis chemical farming and he decided to switch to natural farming on his orchard without hitches “[ had a ‘Pahari’ cow at home so I had no problems in preparing natural inputs like Jeevaamrit, Ghanjeevamrit and others for spray in orchard,” he said. Pirta is the only orchardist in Shimla district who has taken up SPNF on such a big scale. He said the natural farming has brought down the cost of cultivation drastically. “Earlier, 1 was spending Rs 3-4 lakh on the chemical fertilizers, and pesticides in my orchard. The cost has now come down to Rs 50,000 with SPNF.” He said the expenditure will further reduce in the years to come. “A bigger satisfaction is that I am not producing poison now. I am producing natural fruit, which is healthy to eat,” he said.The orchardist said the SPNF technique has controlled diseases in the orchard and the production has. gone up. “The paste suggested by the Block Technology Manager and Assistant Technology Manager with Agriculture department for plant protection has also helped controlling diseases, which posed a challenge during chemical and organic farming,” he said. Pirta is growing 12 varieties of apple and33 varieties of pear in his orchard. Many growers come to his orchard now and see for themselves the difference in the fruits produced by chemical method and the SPNF he added. Encouraged by the demand of natural apple in the market, Pirta is even mooting a cooperative society of orchardists to have better linkages in market. A bigger satisfaction by shifting to non chemical natural farming is that I am not producing poison now. I am producing natural fruit, which is healthy to eat. Details Total land- 85 bigha | Land under natural farming- 55 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 1467 metre Fruits and erops-Apple varieties (Dark Baron Gala, ADM, King Roat, Gold Chief, Red Velox), Pear, Maize, Peas, Beans, Koda, Chulaee Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 3 lakh, Income: Rs 12,00,000 Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 50,000, Income- Rs 15,00,000Youth leaves job to grow organic fruits, finds natural farming more sustainable Pramod Desta Mobile : 98056-75275 ‘The apples produced with natural farming are quite solid and. have better self life le small-small positive changes in the orchard which I have noticed after shifting to Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) in my apple orchard are very encouraging. They will add up to bigger returns in the years to come, said Pramod Desta, 28, of Narain village in Rampur block in Shimla district. Desta, who did his graduation in Computer Application from Punjab Technical University (PTU), Jalandhar, had came back home to produce organic fruits, leaving a private job in 2018. However, as he was planning to switch from chemical to organic farming in a part of his orchard, he got to know about SPNF method and found it more sustainable. “The interview of the then Governor Acharya Devvrat on Television had attracted me towards non chemical farming natural farming. After I got 6 day training at a camp on SPNF in Kufti, 1 adopted the method in my 3.2 bigha orchard. I found that the apples produced with natural farming are quite solid and have better shelf life. The plants have also improved in two years,” the young orchardist added. Desta said that his orchard is at a shady place sothe plants usually suffered from powdery mildew. “Thad to spend thousands of Rupees to control this, problem when we were doing chemical farming. However, the cost effective natural farming inputs are very effective on this,” he said, He said the shift from chemical farming to SPNF has helped him save Rs 18000, which he had to spend on chemical fertilisers and pesticides earlier. Desta is now giving trainings to farmers in Palekar natural farming with his own resources in around 10 villages in the area.Details \ Total land- 3.5 bigha | Land under natural farming- 3.2 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2531 metre Fruits and crops- Apple varieties (Royal, Golden, Red Golden), Maize, Rajmash Chemical Farming- Expenditure- Rs 20,000, Income: Rs, Natural Farming- Expenditure- Rs 2000,He proved the critics of natural farming wrong in field Pawan Sharma Mobile : 70184-82216 Natural farming has built up demand for my vegetables in focal market. Jawan Sharma of Patgehar village in Shimla district had to face much resistance at home and among fellow farmers, when he decided to shift to Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) on his farm in 2018. “Everyone doubted results, So I started with asmall chunk, When I got good results, I expanded it to 3 bigha, where I grow apples, vegetables and flowers,” he said. Pawan, 35, is educated upto 12th standard and owns 7 bigha of land. He plans to bring entire land under non chemical natural farming step by step. The farmer said he was looking for some altemates as the cost of cultivation of fruits and vegetables with chemical farming was ever increasing, and over the years he could feel that it was neither beneficial to him, nor the consumers. He said he got to know about the SPNF method at one-day workshop in Mashobra in 2018. What made his resolve to go for non chemical farming stronger was the 6 day training workshop of Subhash Palekar on SPNF in Nauni same year. “[ had a ‘desi’ cow at home so I made the natural farming inputs based on cow urine and dung 1 did the first experiment by spraying Jeevaamrit on dying plants of carnation (flower). When I saw them getting back to normal health, I used Jeevaamrit, Ghanjeevaamrit and Khatti Lassi on another part of my farm and 3 poly houses of 250 square metres,” he shared. He said he got bumper crop of peas, tomato and beans by using these homemade natural farming inputs. Pawan sold peas (Rs 30,000), tomato (Rs 70,000), beans (Rs 35,000) and seedless cucumber (Rs 50,000) grown by SPNF during Covid times in the local market. Pawan has made regular customers in the local market, who wait for his vegetables now. He got eight harvests of tomato from his poly house last year.This farmer has planted a high density apple orchard of M-9 rootstock on 450 square metre land with Palekar natural farming method in 2019. He said the plants are healthy and their growth is better with natural farming inputs compared to chemicals. Pawan has also founded ‘Jai Kisan Sangh’ by involving the youth in his village. ‘The organisation takes up the problems of farmers with the administration, along with supporting the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) officers at block level by creating awareness on natural farming among growers of region. Inever knew that farming can give me an identity. I get calls from different areas ‘for natural farming inputs and many people visit my farm after they see pictures of my farming model on social media. ) D Details Total land- 7 bigha | Land under natural farming- 3 bigha Fruits and erops- Apple, Peas, Tomato, Beans, Camation, Marigold, Maize Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 70,000, Income: Rs 1,15,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 10,000, Income: Rs 2,00,000Natural farming gives him edge in horticulture, keeps pests at bay Sanjeev Negi Mobile : 98169-55836 hen all other growers grappled with San Jose scale, untimely leaf fall or poor colour of apples in their orchards in the year 2020, incurring losses in lakhs, Sanjeev Negi of Phunja village in Rampur had no such issues on his, farm. It actually surprised many when natural farming checked these problems in his orchard and he got good production of apples and income. Negi had initially tried to learn natural farming method by watching videos on YouTube However, after attending a training workshop by Subhash Palekar at Nauni in Solan district on natural farming in 2019, he has successfully been growing apples, fruits and vegetables with this method in his, orchard. Negi lives in a joint family and manages 30 bigha of orchard with his elder brother. “We have got good results with Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) on 7 bigha of land. We have made up our mind to expand the non chemical farming to entire orchard,” said Negi, adding that he would shortly buy a ‘desi’ cow. Negi said with the use of natural farming inputs made with cow urine and dung, the microbes, in the land have increased. “The earthworms can be seen in good numbers as we dig soil with hands,” he said. “[had to spend thousands of Rupees earlier when I was doing chemical farming on this land,”he added. ‘A teacher by profession, Negi has inspired his colleagues as well to adopt natural farming in their farm land, He is training the farmers on his own as well as on behalf of the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) officials in the area. So far, Negi has helped farmers in 10 villages learn this non chemical natural farming method for application in their orchards. oo = COC igsTam proud that I am now producing natural and healthy fruits and vegetables and my orchard is a centre of attraction for fellow farmers. Details Total land- 30 bigha | Under natural farming- 7 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2,000 metre Fruits and erops- Apple, Pomegranate, Pear, Apricot, Peach, Rajmash, Beans, Peas Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 65,000, Income: 5,00,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 7,200, Income: 6,60,000Science graduate takes pride in sustainable livelihood Jiya Lal Mobile : 70182-62998 Tam happy that I am now giving healthy and natural produce to the consumers. ‘or Jiya Lal, a science graduate from Theog block in Shimla district, who had chosen to bea farmer long back, natural farming has broughtanew ray ofhope. Upset with the ups and down in agriculture and horticulture with chemical farming and its increasing costs over the last two decades, Jiya Lal, 42, has found the cost effective natural farming as the best option for sustainable livelihood. “I had continuously been looking for alternates to chemical farming. When I got the information on natural farming from Agriculture department and attended a 6 day training camp at Kuri on this method in 2018, it changed my outlook asa farmer, I decided to end the use of chemicals on my farm,” he said. Jiya Lal had a ‘desi’ cow at home, so it became easier for him to experiment, He made the natural inputs from cow urine and dung and shifted to natural farming in his polyhouse of 250 square metre, planting capsicum (Shimla Mirch). “The results of Jeevaamrit and Ghanjeevaamrit spray were miraculous and I got bumper crop in polyhouse. It strengthened my resolve to go forit,” he said, Jiya Lal owns 30 bigha of farm land. He has already shifted to SPNF on 8.5 bigha, which includes anew apple orchard and vegetable farm. (Theog is a vegetable producing belt in Shimla district, besides apple cultivation) He reaped good benefits by selling natural vegetables during Covid 19. Jiya Lal shared that by using natural farming inputs, the cost of production has come down and the soil has become more fertile. The use of Jeevaamrit and Khatti Lassi during Monsoons has checked fungal diseases. He planted a High Density apple orchard (1350 plants) last year. “The growth of plants is good with natural farming and problem of diseases is negligible,” he said. Jiya Lal is helping other farmers shift to natural farming. He said wherever he goes, the natural farming subject crops up for discussion andmany growers are now in touch with him on telephone as well to know more about it. He is heading the *Zeharmukt Kheti Utpad Sangh’ in Theog, which takes up the problems of farmers with administration. “The natural farming has certainly made me a special farmer in the eyes of society and administration,” he said. Natural farming inputs improve the health of soil and plants. farmers are bound to get good crop with this method. Details Total land- 30 bigha | Under natural farming- 8.5 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2,300 metre Fruits and erops- Apple varieties (Super Chief, Jeromine, Red Velox, Dark Baron Gala, Scarlet-2), Capsicum (Red and Yellow), Beans, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Tomatoes Chemical farming- Expenditure- Rs 1,50,000, Income: Rs 2,50,000 Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 40,000, Income: Rs 2,50,000Natural farming revives his spirit to stick to roots Govardhan Klanta Mobile : 88940-25164 Apple scab damaged the crop where farmers were doing chemical or organic farming. But natural farming protected my orchard from this damage. ovardhan Klanta, 36, from Barthata in Jubbal block of Shimla district did not chase the ambition of going abroad after hotel management degree like his friends. He came back to his roots to carry forward the legacy of horticulture and has finally earned an identity as a grower, thanks to his decision to shift from chemical farming to natural farming in 2019. “T have earlier done both chemical farming and organic farming in my orchard. The results of natural farming are the best,” he said. Govardhan, 36, shared that all these years he would get costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides from the market to get better results. “But with time, the use of chemicals increased, while the production started going down. This worried me and I contacted the Agriculture department officials at the block level, who told me about the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Yojana’,” he said. He said in 2019, he attended a 6 day training workshop on natural farming in horticulture at UHF Nauni in Solan district through Agriculture department, Since Govardhan did not have a ‘desi’ cow, he would buy cow urine and dung from a neighbour to make natural farming inputs that he started using onselected apple plants to experiment. He was much impressed with the results and what attracted him most was that he could get more crops simultaneously. He took the crop of peas and beans in the apple and pear orchard, which not only enriched the soil nutrients, but increased his income. The main crops of apple and pear also got their nitrogen fulfilled in the process. Govardhan has already adopted natural farming on 5.2 bigha land out of 12.5 bigha and said hewill gradually expand. He has a high density apple orchard with 300 plants, where he is using natural farming inputs under the supervision of the Block Level Officials with Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) project of Agriculture department. In 2020, the entire apple growing area suffered due to apple scab, but his orchard did not face any such problem.“It damaged the crop in orchards where growers were doing chemical or organic farming. Butnatural farming protected apple crop in my orchard from this damage. This makes the natural farming more relevant,” he said. ‘The growers must adopt natural farming atleast as an experiment to begin with. Iam sure once they do it, they would develop strong urge to shed chemical farming. Details Total land- 12.5 bigha | Land under natural- 5.2 bigha | Altitude of the orchard 1700 metres Fruits and crops- Apple varieties (Royal, Golden, Red Golden, Kind Roat), Pear, Plum, Maize, Rajmash, Cauliflower, Brinjal and Shimla Mirch, Capsicum Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 30,000, Income: Rs 1,12,000 Natural farming- Expenditure- Rs 2,800, Income: Rs 1,87,000Sold chemicals to farmers all his life, now encourages them to adopt natural farming Mehar Singh Chauhan Mobile : 98057-30974 ‘When growers see the health of apple plants, leaves and fruits by natural farming, they evince interest. ounds surprising ! But true. Mehar Singh ‘Chauhan of Jubbal block in Shimla district, who sold chemicals to farmers all his life at his shop in Tyuni in Uttarakhand, has stopped using chemicals in his own apple orchard. He shifted to natural farming since 2018."1 freely used chemical fertilizers and pesticides in my orchard for more apple production. Year after year, when I saw the negative impact of chemicals on the crop, I thought of doing chemical free farming. So I switched to organic farming in 2014. After few years Tanalysed that organic farming was proving costlier than even chemical farming. By chance in those days in 2018, I got the opportunity to attend a training workshop on Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) in Jubbal,” he said. Not averse to new experiments on his orchard, Chauhan started using Jeevaamrit, Ghanjeevaamrit ete on a part of land after the training. Later he participated ina 6 day training camp at Kufri, which was addressed by Subhash Palekar, and followed the method in his 12 bigha orchard, A post graduate in Political Science and English, Chauhan, who is associated with horticulture for four decades, said the results of natural farming are unimaginable, “Since I adopted natural farming method, the soil in the orchard has become soft and fertility has increased. The spray of natural farming inputs in apple and pear orchard has, improved the health of plants. The most important point to notice is that with natural farming, the plants survived the soil erosion and drought conditions also,” he said. Chauhan said the shift to SPNF has checked diseases and pests in the orchard and has removed ‘the doubts that it reduces the production. He has 1200 apple plants in his orchard. Last year he sold 600 apple boxes (20 kilograms each) in the local market in view of Covid and got an average price of Rs 2500 perbox. “As natural farming is beneficial in many ways, apart from being cost effective, the growers will definitely adoptit sooner or later,” he said.“T have started telling the farmers who come to my shop to buy chemicals that natural farming is more beneficial and they should better adopt it. “A farmer also eats the same vegetable and fruits. Why to produce poison then?” he added. He is not bothered that his advice on the shop may discourage his own customers. I sell chemicals for agriculture but I have developed an urge to educate people on non-chemical natural farming. Details Total land- 25 bigha | Land under natural farming- 12 bigha | Altitude of the orchard- 2,000 metre Fruits and crops-Apple varieties (Royal, Red Chief, Royal Delicious, Red Chief, Oregon Spur, Jeromine, Scarlet, King Roat, ADM), Pear, Peach, Maize, Potato, Peas, Rajmash, Koda Chemical farming- Expenditure: Rs 55,000, Income: 5,50,000 Natural farming- Expenditure: Rs 4200, Income: Rs 5, 80,000Natural vegetables helped him sail through Covid crisis Pradeep Verma Mobile : 97362-75009 Since I shifted to natural farming, my vegetables sell like hot cakes as they are tasty and nutritious. yen as the farmers generally incurred financial losses during Covid-19 pandemic, a vegetable grower from Ulga village in Theog block in Shimla district was able to sail smoothly through the crisis. Thanks to low cost and more productive natural farming, Verma did multiple cropping of vegetables on his farm and eared Rs 2 lakh by selling 18 quintal broccoli, 1.5 quintal peas and 12 quintal pumpkins in the local market during Covid- 19 lockdown, He had already sold marigold of Rs 50,000 before the lockdown from same land. “I had got to know about non chemical farming from internet, following which I consulted the Agriculture department, The Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) officers helped me attend a 6 day training camp by Subhash Palekar on low cost natural farming in October, 2018, following which I adopted natural farming to grow vegetables on my 1.4 bigha land,” Pradeep said. He said when he discussed about his plan to shift to the natural farming, the fellow farmers discouraged him. “But I stuck to my plan, When I got good results from natural farming, I started working onexotic vegetables with natural farming,” he said. He is now growing different vegetables on 5 bigha with SPNF. With the help of non chemical natural farming, he is able to take three-four harvests from one vegetable crop. He said the Covid crisis hammered the need for natural produce even more. So the demand of vegetables produced by him with natural farming has increased and the profits have gone up. “Thad been doing chemical farming for last one and ahalf decade. I got several awards at dist level for this. But I never liked the increasing dependence on the market for chemicals, so when I got knowledge I shifted to natural farming at once,” hesaid Pradeep got the ‘Best Farmer’ award from the Urban Development minister, Suresh Bhardwaj in 2019 for successfully growing vegetables with