Gujarat’s Dang becomes fully natural farming district; tribal youth plant 25,000 strawberry saplings
PTC News Desk: Under the “Aapnu Dang, Prakrutik Dang” (Our Dang, Natural Dang) campaign, Dang, a forest region in Gujarat, was designated as a totally natural farming district in 2021.
The accomplishment supports the vigorous efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote natural farming, as evidenced by the 2018 Union Budget, which committed to involving 1 crore farmers nationwide in natural farming practices.
Dang declared as Gujarat’s fully natural farming district, Tribal youth plant 25000 strawberry saplings
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Natural farming has become much more popular in Gujarat under the direction of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The lives of indigenous adolescents engaged in agriculture have been significantly changed by Dang’s designation as a natural farming area. The uplifting tale of Rajubhai Sahre from Ahwa taluka’s Galkund hamlet serves as an example of how natural farming may successfully alter communities.
A news statement stated that farmer Rajubhai Budhabhai Sahre used drip irrigation on a two-hectare field in 2023 and yielded a profit of Rs 3 lakh.
“After instruction from the Horticulture Department, Rajubhai Budhabhai Sahre, 40, took a scientific approach to horticulture. He planted bitter gourd on two hectares in 2021 and made Rs 55,000, profiting Rs 40,000. Making use of natural farming’s advantages, Rajubhai varied his cropping. By 2023–2024, he used mulching and drip irrigation to grow tomatoes, broccoli, bitter gourd, and chilies to earn an astounding Rs 4 lakh 40 thousand. In the past three years, his income has increased by 700% “it stated.
Rajubhai also mentioned that he planted 25,000 strawberry saplings this year as part of his crop diversification.
Speaking of his trials with organic farming techniques, Rajubhai says, “We produce crops like paddy, gallows, bitter gourd, and tomatoes according to the season. Despite the fact that broccoli is not very popular in Dang, I choose to try it. I planted 7,000 strawberry plants the previous year and made a 100% profit. I’ve increased to 25,000 strawberry plants this year.”
Rajubhai further mentioned that he practices natural farming with his brothers. He praised the government for its support and help, adding that he had two older children and a son who was a student. “The Horticulture Department provides us with subsidies, which include crucial assistance and training. Raw mandap, seeds, plastic wrap, packing supplies, and mango grafting have all been helped by the department,” he stated.
The Gujarat government has aggressively encouraged and taught farmers to promote natural farming, according to the press release. Natural farming is becoming more and more popular among farmers. The state government has set aside Rs 1603 lakh in aid to help farmers who practice natural farming from 2021 to 2023–2024.
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