Practices Farmer Mr. Narayan Bhau Bhoye, Gorthan Village, Palghar District
A Real Life Case Study by Shop For Change Fair Trade NGO
Background:
Shop for Change Fair Trade, with funding support from GeBBS Healthcare, launched a capacity-building project to promote sustainable agricultural practices among tribal farmers in Jawhar. A two-day focused training session was conducted for over 70 tribal farmers, ensuring equal participation from men and women. The training for male farmers was held in January 2025, following which one of the farmers immediately adopted the No-Till/Regenerative Technique (SRT) on his farm.
Narayan Bhau Bhoye, a smallholder farmer from Gorthan village in Palghar district, is a notable example of success from this intervention. Known for his experimental nature, Narayan decided to initially apply SRT on a small portion of his land—2.5 gunthas—to assess the results before scaling up. Based on the outcomes from this trial, he plans to implement SRT across a larger area during the upcoming monsoon season.
SRT Application Details:
- Crop Selection: 1 Guntha Groundnut, 1 Guntha Wal (Indian Bean), 0.5 Guntha Chickpea
- Date of Sowing: January 23, 2025
- Expected Harvest Date: May 10, 2025
Benefits Experienced:
- Reduced Labor Requirement: Decreased from 10-15 workers (traditional farming) to 4-5 workers under SRT.
- Cost Savings: Labor savings amounted to approximately ₹3,200.
- Enhanced Crop Growth: Crop height increased from 2-3 feet (traditional) to over 3 feet with SRT.
Projected Yields (Based on Visible Crop Growth):
| Crop | Area | Previous Year Yield with Traditional Farming | Projected Yield with SRT Farming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundnut | 1 Guntha | 50-50 Kg | 80-90 Kg |
| Groundnut | 1 Guntha | 20-25 Kg | 30-45 Kg |
| Chickpea | ½ Guntha | 10-15 Kg | 25-30 Kg |
Projected Economic Impact Summary:
- Income with Traditional Methods: ₹6,875
- Projected Income with SRT: ₹11,525
- Net Increase in Income: ₹4,650
- Total Net Gain (Income Increase + Labor Savings): ₹7,850
Investment: SRT Training Cost per Farmer: ₹5000
Social Return on Investment (ROI):
With an investment of ₹5000 towards training, Narayan is projected to achieve a 157% ROI within a single cropping season.
The adoption of the Saguna Regenerative Technique (SRT) has enabled Narayan Bhau Bhoye to project significant improvements in crop yields and cost reductions. His strategic approach of piloting the technique on a small plot before full-scale adoption reflects a prudent model for progressive farming. This case study illustrates the transformative potential of sustainable farming practices in improving rural livelihoods, enhancing incomes, and reducing dependence on intensive labor.
Contact:
Shop for Change Fair Trade NGO
3 B P Bhagat Bldg Ayre Road, Dombivali East, Mumbai, India 421201
Saameer Ravindra Athavale
Phone: 9320032675 / Email: sameer@shopforchange.ngo
Website: www.shopforchange.ngo