Madhya Pradesh's Ratna Medhe Turns Organic Farming Into a Lakh-Rupee Business Every Year Ratna Medhe from Bakkhari village in Burhanpur district studied only up to class 10, but organic farming on her three and a half acre farm now earns her three to four lakh rupees a year and has made her a model farmer in her village. In Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district, more and more women farmers are switching to organic farming because it delivers strong profits at a lower cost. Ratna Medhe, who lives in Bakkhari village roughly 15 kilometres from Burhanpur, is one of the clearest examples of this shift. Ratna studied only up to class 10, yet she now farms three and a half acres of land organically and earns between three and four lakh rupees every year. From pesticide-heavy banana farming to a fresh start Earlier, Ratna's family grew only bananas, and pesticides were used on the crop. Ratna herself stayed at home and did not step out to work. That changed once she joined a self-help group. Through the group she learned about organic farming and went on to receive training in it. After the training, she stopped using pesticides altogether and switched entirely to organic methods. Multiple crops on three and a half acres bring daily income For the past two years, Ratna has been farming her three and a half acres organically. Her fields now carry bananas, brinjal, moong pods and choli, along with bottle gourd, ridge gourd and cowpea pods and several other vegetables. Because so many crops are grown together, something is ready for sale from her farm almost every day, which keeps a steady stream of income coming in. That daily flow adds up to a total annual earning of three to four lakh rupees. Learning from agricultural scientists and social media Ratna did not learn organic farming techniques at any large institution. Instead, she picked them up with guidance from agricultural scientists and information available on social media. She prepares compost on her own farm and uses it to feed her plants. Pesticide use on her land has come down to zero. As a result, her farm now produces well even on a lower input cost, and she is also getting a better price for her produce in the market. A model farmer honoured by the district administration Ratna's effort and success have made her a model farmer in her village. The district administration has taken note of her work and is honouring her for it. She says she only studied up to class 10 and could not continue her education after that, but her decision to join a self-help group and take up organic farming has changed her entire life. Today, she stands as an example not just for her own family but for other women in her village too, showing that limited schooling and resources need not stop anyone from building a solid income through hard work and the right guidance. What this means for you • Across India: The story shows that even with limited schooling and a small landholding, switching to organic farming can multiply a farming family's income within a couple of years. • In Burhanpur: Women farmers in the district who join self-help groups and take organic farming training are now earning three to four lakh rupees a year even from a small three and a half acre farm. Questions & Answers 1. Where does Ratna Medhe live? Ratna Medhe lives in Bakkhari village in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district, about 15 kilometres from Burhanpur. 2. How much land does Ratna farm organically? She farms three and a half acres of land using organic methods. 3. How much does Ratna earn every year? Ratna earns three to four lakh rupees a year from her organic farming. 4. Where did Ratna get her organic farming training? After joining a self-help group, Ratna received training in organic farming. 5. What crops does Ratna grow on her farm? Her farm has bananas, brinjal, moong pods, choli, bottle gourd, ridge gourd and cowpea pods along with several other vegetables. 6. How much has Ratna studied? Ratna studied up to class 10 and could not continue her education after that. 7. How did Ratna learn organic farming techniques? She learned these techniques with guidance from agricultural scientists and information from social media. 8. Has Ratna been honoured for her work? Yes, the district administration is honouring her in recognition of her success in organic farming. Inspiration & Lessons • Limited education was not a barrier: Ratna could not study beyond class 10, yet she proved herself through training and hard work. • Joining the right group: Becoming part of a self-help group turned out to be the turning point, giving her access to organic farming knowledge and training. • A willingness to keep learning: She picked up new techniques from agricultural scientists and social media, which helped her get better output at lower cost. • Diversifying crops reduced risk and raised income: Growing several crops on the same land gave her a steady, near daily source of income. • The courage to go pesticide free: Breaking from her family's old pesticide use and bringing it down to zero improved both her yield and the price she gets. https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/burahanapura-ki-mahila-kisana-ratna-medhe-ko-jaivika-kheti-se-salana-tina-se-chara-lakha-ki-kamai-7593 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.