Success Story: This woman from Gujarat earns more than Rs 30,000 every month from sustainable farming

Success Story: From a stay-at-home mom with little agricultural expertise to a devoted supporter of sustainable agriculture in Gujarat, Manju Govind Gajera’s path is one of slow change. The Gujarat Agriculture Core Committee, which is led by Governor Acharya Devvrat, includes her today. Her sincere desire to assist farmers in implementing healthier, chemical-free techniques and enhancing their standard of living led her to get involved in farming and agricultural reform, eventually becoming a significant figure in the state’s agricultural scene.

The Seed of Change

Manju’s family had always been farmers, but she had never worked on a farm herself. Supporting her spouse, who had received Natural Farming (NF) training, marked the beginning of her agricultural career. Her life’s purpose underwent a radical turn as she saw the beneficial improvements in soil health and quality brought about by natural farming practices. Motivated by the outcomes, Manju began planning training workshops to instruct farmers in chemical-free, sustainable agricultural methods.

Educating Others and Establishing Credibility

Manju started a massive Natural Farming training program for 250 farmers with the goal of empowering additional farmers. She knew she wanted to contact even more farmers after seeing the results of these efforts. She enrolled in The Art of Living’s Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology’s intense NF Teacher Training Course (SSIAST) as a result of this epiphany.

She gained extensive understanding of Sri Sri Natural Farming, a technique that cultivates the land without the use of pesticides and fosters biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation, thanks to the extensive training. She discovered how the farm’s sustainability and financial viability might be improved by using cow dung and urine as manure, multicropping, and natural pest management. By reducing tilling, these techniques put an emphasis on soil preservation, protecting the soil’s microbial life and general structure.

Equipped with this understanding, Manju started her own kitchen garden as a way to put her teachings into reality. Her trust and faith in the effectiveness of natural farming were strengthened by the flourishing garden. She then broadened her reach by visiting communities and teaching farmers about the practice’s advantages for sustainability, the economy, and the environment.

Overcoming Farmers’ Obstacles: Establishing a Marketplace

Manju discovered three main issues that farmers confront when traveling:

• Locating a market to sell their products
• Getting the confidence of customers

Getting reasonable prices

In 2019, Manju established Sri Sri Kissan Mall in Gujarat with the intention of resolving these problems. This project was not intended to be a profit-driven endeavor but rather a platform for empowering farmers. From the Gajera family’s groundnut oil and wheat to pulses, millets, brown sugar, and rock salt, the mall offered a wide range of goods that were supplied by more than 50 farmers who had received natural farming training.

With an average monthly turnover of approximately Rs. 30,000, Sri Sri Kissan Mall provides farmers with a dependable and direct outlet for their goods. Farmers no longer have to fight to find customers or charge exorbitant rates for their produce thanks to this mall.

Reach Extension: The Internet Marketplace

Manju linked farmers to the Sri Sri Kissan Manch, an online marketplace where NF-trained farmers could sell their goods directly to consumers, in order to help them even more. Through conferences and PGS India certification, the platform also offered networking possibilities, all made possible by SSIAST.

Manju takes pride in the devoted clientele she has amassed over the years, which includes health-conscious consumers like physicians who recognize the advantages of pure, unadulterated goods. Because of the quality and purity of Manju’s output, even The Art of Living’s Vasad Ashram purchases its groundnut oil from her farm.

Appreciation and Guidance

Manju has received recognition for her unwavering commitment to farmers and sustainable farming. She is honored to have been appointed to the Gujarat Agriculture Core Committee as a result of her efforts.

Manju’s path from a housewife with no formal farming expertise to a prominent voice in agricultural reform is a testament to the strength of drive, tenacity, and a strong sense of purpose. For many farmers and others committed to building a more sustainable, just agricultural future, she remains an inspiration.