sustainable farming
How Das Parni is transforming farming communities
Traditional wisdom and sustainability come together in this Rajasthan village to create Das Parni, a bio-pesticide that is free of chemicals, enhancing water security, along with flavours and nutrients of crops.
No-cost water conservation technique saves the day in a Gujarat village
With groundwater levels declining at an alarming rate in north Gujarat due to overuse, some farmers are leading the way by adopting innovative irrigation methods.
Faith in the long game of natural farming
Battling climate change and financial woes, a tribal farmer puts his faith in organic, natural farming methods – betting that enriching his soil will reap rewards in the long run.
A better future takes seed in Andhra farmer’s hands
She employs time-tested methods of preserving organic seeds, enabling better crop yield in the bargain. Meet Sidhipalem Chinnammi of Andhra Pradesh’s Illayipuram village, who uses everything from bottle gourd to clay pots to keep her seeds fresh.
Diversification yields better food, income, health
From pomegranates to pineapple, fish to “power-packed” rice – how a Telangana Koya tribal woman embraces agricultural diversification and organic farming. Doing so has not just helped her fields yield a better income, but improved her land, her health and tastebuds too.
My development journey from Barwani to Delhi
A childhood trip to village Barwani first introduced Sneha Mahapatra to harsh rural realities. Going back there as a 27-year-old reaffirmed her belief that her life’s vocation lay in empowering marginalised communities.
From day-care to soil care – Chhattisgarh woman teaches natural farming
After excessive fertilising stripped nutrients from her village’s soil, an anganwadi teacher takes it upon herself to educate her community about the perils of chemical farming and how to cultivate agri-nutrition gardens.
A chemistry professor’s quest to save orchids in Assam
Ankur Rajgogoi stumbled upon the beautiful orchid flower by accident and has now made it his life’s mission to conserve the species in all its diversity in his home state of Assam.
Jharkhand’s star millionaire farmers, up in the sky
Farming can be profitable and make farmers millionaires! To celebrate their “star” farmers, Transform Rural India (TRI) organised a Millionaire Farmers Breakfast at Mumbai’s favourite farm-to-table restaurant, Project Hum to celebrate Kisan Diwas (December 23).
Nutty Village ensures Unnao’s farmers don’t get peanuts for groundnuts
Aman Kumar, a TISS graduate, returned to Unnao in Uttar Pradesh to create Nutty Village, a social enterprise focused on empowering smallholder farmers by transforming locally grown groundnuts into value-added products like peanut butter and energy bars.
A blooming business journey against the odds
Karishma Choyal, a young entrepreneur from rural Madhya Pradesh, transformed adversity into opportunity when she built a thriving flower business during the pandemic.
Rider cycles his way to reviving sustainable farming in Bihar
Rakesh Rider, a 48-year-old cyclist and agroecologist, is promoting sustainable farming through his initiatives Studio Saag and Bagmati Vidyapeeth, wherein he teaches students about natural farming, seed preservation and reducing agriculture costs.
Farmers’ dilemma: How cooperation can address water security
In India's dry regions, farmers face a tough choice – work together on crops or risk losing everything. Cooperation is the key for farm prosperity given serious water shortages in these areas.
Traditional ‘hangadi kheti’ revitalises Rajasthan’s agriculture
In drought-prone Rajasthan, an initiative is helping tribal communities combine hangadi kheti, a traditional multi-cropping method, with modern drip irrigation to use water judiciously and improve their livelihood.
Assam startup tastes success with antibiotic-free poultry farming
Graduate Farmer, a startup founded by lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Bapan Das in Assam, has transformed small-scale poultry farming into a thriving business, benefiting both farmers and consumers by promoting antibiotic-free feed.
Kathiya gehu’s GI tag promises hope for Bundelkhand wheat farmers
Bundelkhand’s native wheat variety kathiya gehu or durum is celebrated for its robust characteristics and nutritional benefits. The GI tag preserves the agricultural heritage of the region and paves the way for a sustainable farming future.
Wake up and smell the coffee at this Muddenahalli homestay
For Muniswamy, owner of SM Nisarga Farms, the coffee plantation transcends mere farming as it’s a commitment to nurturing a green sanctuary in the arid landscape of Muddenahalli and its neighbouring hills.
Sikkim’s organic farming revolution offers a success model
With its lush landscapes and bountiful harvests, Sikkim stands as a testament to the potential of organic farming, inspiring a greener, healthier future for agriculture across the nation.
Panchkroshi – Maharashtra farmers harness the power of five
Maharashtra farmers are reviving the traditional concept of Panchkroshi, wherein five neighbouring villages come together, to boost sustainability in their drought-hit region.
Bengal banana farmers bask in sunshine
Banana farmers in West Bengal’s Birbhum district conserve water and energy, utilising solar-powered pumps to extract groundwater and distribute it through the drip irrigation system.