At a time when rising input costs and chemical hazards are plaguing the agricultural sector, an inspiring narrative of sustainable farming is emerging from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. In this changing era where modern farming has become increasingly expensive and challenging, rural women are stepping forward to lead the charge. Lal Pari, a resident of Mirzapur Gram Panchayat in the Tejvapur block of the district, has become a prominent symbol of women's empowerment and chemical-free agriculture in her region. Through her dedicated efforts, she is proving that farmers can restore soil health while significantly cutting down on operational expenses.
A Battle Against Costly Chemical Fertilizers
Serving as a Krishi Sakhi in her locality, Lal Pari actively works to educate farmers about the severe dangers of using synthetic fertilizers and toxic pesticides. She teaches local cultivators how they can break free from their reliance on expensive inputs like urea and DAP. Instead of buying these costly chemicals, she shows them how to manufacture high-quality, natural crop nutrients right at home at a minimal cost. Her primary objective is to rejuvenate the natural fertility of the soil and protect crops from devastating diseases. Lal Pari points out that when farmers eliminate chemical fertilizers, they can easily substitute them with natural nutrient sources such as Jeevamrit and Ghan Jeevamrit, which adequately compensate for the absence of urea and DAP.
The Easy Recipe for Making 200 Litres of Jeevamrit
Preparing this organic blend is an extremely simple process. To make a standard batch of 200 litres, one needs a plastic drum of equivalent capacity filled with 175 litres of clean water. To this water, 10 kilograms of fresh desi cow dung and 10 litres of cow urine are added. Next, 2 kilograms of jaggery and 2 kilograms of gram flour (besan) are mixed into the drum to feed the organisms. Finally, 1 kilogram of living soil is added. This soil should ideally be sourced from beneath a banyan tree or collected from the upper layer of a farm's bund after removing the dry topsoil. All these ingredients are thoroughly stirred together inside the container to ferment.
How Good Bacteria and Microorganisms Benefit the Soil
During the fermentation process, millions of highly beneficial "good bacteria" and friendly microorganisms multiply rapidly within the liquid mixture. When this fermented organic solution is introduced to the fields, these microbes instantly boost the biological activity of the soil, multiplying its fertility manifold. This solution acts as a complete life-charger for crops, nourishing them with essential macro and micronutrients without leaving any harmful residues.
Simple Methods for Applying the Organic Blend to Crops
Applying this home-made natural fertilizer to the fields is very straightforward. According to the Krishi Sakhi, Ghan Jeevamrit is scattered across the dry field just prior to the final ploughing, after which transplanting is carried out. On the other hand, the liquid Jeevamrit is applied during irrigation. Farmers can place a clay pot or a plastic container with a tiny hole near the water inlet so that the mixture drips steadily and flows evenly across the entire field with the irrigation water. If such a container is not available, the mixture can be poured slowly using a small metal pot (lota) directly into the water channel or near the pipe opening. Additionally, farmers can filter the liquid and spray it directly onto the crops using a standard spray machine.
