Why Patanjali's Farming Initiatives Are A Game-Changer For Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is the need of the hour for not only protecting our health and well-being but also the environment. Due to various factors including soil degradation, overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and most importantly, climate change, the future of agriculture is gloomy. This calls for immediate action and Patanjali is playing its part by advocating for organic farming.

Deeply rooted in ancient Ayurveda, Patanjali is introducing farming initiatives that aim to make sustainable agriculture popular, profitable and environmentally friendly. These initiatives can prove to be game-changing by helping farmers shift from conventional farming to organic, sustainable and regenerative farming.

Reviving Vedic Farming Principles

As we know Patanajali’s initiatives are linked to our ancient Vedic principles. The approach towards sustainable farming is also inspired by our Vedic agriculture which emphasizes establishing harmony between nature, soil and humans. In order to achieve its goals, Patanjali has introduced a no-chemical farming model that exercises using natural manure, zero use of chemical fertilizers and biological pest control to not hamper nature, soil or human health. In a nutshell, this model aims at reducing negative environmental impact while maintaining the crop yield.

A report published in the Journal of Agroecology and Natural Resource Management found that natural farming practices caused a remarkable 40–50 per cent reduction in water usage and improved soil health. This can support Patanjali’s practices of using cow-based inputs and natural compost for farming.

Soil Regeneration and Health Restoration

Soil degradation, being one of the primary concerns for the future of agriculture, needed primary addressal. Therefore, Patanjali’s farming model focuses on soil regeneration. Due to chemical overuse, soil loses its fertility, affects crop productivity and puts the health of consumers at stake. Patanjali is actively working on soil restoration by encouraging the use of natural compost, cow dung and bio-enzymes. Over time, these help restore fertility, water retention and microbial growth. Patanjali actively educates the farmers on how to preserve soil and its fertility while boosting the yields.

A field report published in the Indian Journal of Soil Conservation found that farms that adopted Patanjali’s sustainable agriculture model had 25 per cent higher soil organic content as compared to other farms that practiced conventional farming. This resulted in better crop resilience during dry spells.

Farmer Training and Support Infrastructure

To make sustainable agriculture easy, economical and practical, Patanjali has established a grassroots-level network of Kisan Seva Kendras. These are training centers that offer training to the farmers about the latest organic farming techniques, natural pest control and soil fertility testing. Besides, these centers also help farmers with seed selection for seasonal crops and their harvesting techniques.

Patanjali also collaborates with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and agricultural universities to ensure maximal integration of scientific research with on-ground implementation for best results. This allows the farmers to make informed decisions by limiting the use of monocultures which also reduces their dependency and cost of chemical inputs for farming.

Another great initiative by Patanjali in the favour of farmers who practice organic farming is the Buy-back Guarantee. Lack of market access is a major roadblock for organic farmers. To resolve this problem, Patanjali ensures that farmers will receive fair prices for their products with no middlemen involved to maximize their profits.

As per a report, farmers associated with Patanjali reported a 30–40 per cent increase in net income which can be attributed to reduced input costs and guaranteed procurement of the crop.

Long-Term Vision

Besides generating high-quality crops through organic farming, Patanjali’s sustainable agriculture model is also focused on preserving the environment. Their long-term plans include improving biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting pesticide use and upscaling water table recharge.

Considering the fact that 50 per cent of our Indian population is dependent on agriculture, these goals are paramount for securing sustainability in the long run.