Seventy-year-old farmer Sonaram Yadav, a resident of the Kishangarh Renwal region in Jaipur, has established a successful agricultural model that yields high profits with minimal investment. He has achieved this by combining modern technology with traditional organic farming methods. Sonaram practices polyhouse farming and completely avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides even in his traditional farming methods. About three years ago, he installed a polyhouse across an area of roughly 4048 square meters and began cultivating cucumbers organically. Today, his farm has become a shining example of organic agriculture for farmers in the surrounding areas.
Preparation of Organic Solutions and Microbes at Home
Depending on the specific needs of the crops, Sonaram prepares about 15 types of agricultural organic organisms and microbial solutions right at home. These solutions are utilized for spraying on crops and strengthening the biological cycle of the soil. He states firmly that he never uses urea or any chemical fertilizers and pesticides in his farming. To maintain soil fertility, he relies on vermicompost, vermiwash, decomposers, and organic NPK. Meanwhile, for fungus and pest management, he employs organic products such as Trichoderma, Beauveria bassiana, Pseudomonas, Mycorrhiza, and Piconia.
Overcoming the Challenge of Saline Water
The biggest hurdle faced by Sonaram was the saline nature of the water on his farm. Despite this, he did not let water scarcity become an obstacle in his agricultural journey. To handle irrigation needs, he constructed three farm ponds to harvest and conserve rainwater. The water stored in just two of these farm ponds proves sufficient for year-round polyhouse cultivation. Water is delivered directly to the plants using drip irrigation, ensuring that every single drop of water is utilized efficiently.
Impressive Profits Far Outweighing Production Costs
Through organic farming and scientific management, Sonaram harvests around 40 tons of cucumbers in roughly 90 days. The input cost for raising a single crop comes to about 1.20 lakh rupees, while favorable market prices yield an income of approximately 13.50 to 15 lakh rupees. By taking two crops in a year, he generates an earning of around 20 to 30 lakh rupees solely from cucumber cultivation. In short, he achieves high monetary returns with relatively low expenditures.
Integrating Dairy Farming to Strengthen the Agricultural Cycle
To further reinforce his organic farming venture, Sonaram has integrated dairy farming into his operations. He owns 10 indigenous Rathi cows and five buffaloes. The dung and urine collected from these livestock are used in the production of organic manure. This practice reduces the cost of purchasing external inputs while strengthening the organic cycle of the farm. Additionally, he earns supplementary income through the sale of milk. Backed by the guidance of agricultural scientists and years of personal experience, Sonaram has successfully converted the challenge of brackish water into a rewarding opportunity.
