Embellish the Soil with Organic Farming; Crop Rotation Will Lead to Abundant Production

Raipur. Farmer Shri Ramanlal Sahu of Gadadih village in Dhamtari district, who promotes organic farming, was recently honoured by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. Shri Sahu plays a vital role in enhancing soil fertility through organic farming, while also contributing to water conservation through crop rotation.

In today’s modern era, farming is not given as much importance as government jobs or other options of livelihood. However, with various schemes introduced by the Chhattisgarh Government for farmers, including the procurement of paddy at support prices, people are being encouraged to turn towards agriculture. Progressive farmer Shri Ramanlal Sahu has moved beyond traditional farming methods and embraced modern agricultural practices. His efforts in promoting organic farming have yielded remarkable results in soil, water, and environmental conservation. Shri Sahu mentions that for the past eight years, he has been cultivating organic paddy on more than 3 acres of land. In the direction of water conservation, he cultivates pulses and oilseeds during the rabi season. This not only enhances the soil’s fertility but also increases crop production.

Shri Sahu also explains that, alongside being a farmer, he is an animal caretaker. Near his farm, in about 25 decimals of land, he has established a cowshed to shelter stray cattle that roam around the streets and neighbourhoods. The dung from these cattle is used in organic farming, while the sale of milk provides him with a monthly income of Rs 9,000. Shri Sahu further shares that he has constructed a small pond in his field to ensure a water supply for the cattle. Additionally, solar panels have been installed with the help of CREDA (Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency). He has also set up a biogas plant to generate fodder for the cattle.

Shri Ramanlal Sahu actively educates other farmers about the harmful effects of chemical farming and encourages them to adopt organic farming practices. Using cow dung and cow urine from his cowshed, he ensures the production of poison-free grains, which are then delivered to consumers.