Surat Farmer Earns Rs.2.5 Lakh from Turmeric

Surat, Gujarat — Manjibhai Chaudhary, a farmer from Nasarpur village in Umarpada Taluka, Surat has achieved remarkable success in turmeric farming by adopting his father’s traditional agricultural practices.

A graduate by education, Manjibhai chose farming over a conventional job and attained self-sufficiency through agriculture and animal husbandry in Surat. By cultivating turmeric and enhancing its value, he has not only become self-reliant but is also providing higher education—B.Ed. and B.Sc.—to all three of his daughters.

53-year-old Manjibhai shared that he observed his father’s traditional farming methods closely since childhood and gradually developed an interest in progressive and value-added farming.

Adapting to changing times, he began focusing on value addition of farm produce. He adopted environmentally friendly and modern farming techniques such as organic farming, drip irrigation, water harvesting, and mulching. Compared to chemical-based farming, organic farming has significantly increased crop yield and fetched better prices. His produce also sells quickly in the market.

Manjibhai mentioned that earlier, when he practiced chemical farming and grew groundnuts, the yields were low and costs were high. However, after switching to organic methods like using Jeevamrut and Ghanjeevamrut, the productivity improved substantially.

For the past 5–6 years, he has been cultivating turmeric. Last year, he grew 50 man (approx. 1,875 kg) of turmeric, which earned him a profit of around ₹2.5 lakh. Earlier, turmeric sold for ₹100–150 per kg, but after shifting to organic methods, he now gets ₹300–350 per kg. With government support, he also participates in exposure visits and training programs to learn the latest agricultural techniques and apply them to his fields.

He also shared that the government provides a monthly subsidy for rearing indigenous cows, helping reduce costs in animal husbandry. In the extra space on his farm, he has planted drumstick trees (sargava), and 20–25 mango trees of the Totapuri, Rajapuri, and Kesar varieties.

Drumsticks grow at minimal cost and give good yields. Since starting organic farming, he has never used chemical fertilizers or pesticides. His mangoes fetch good prices right from the farm, eliminating the need to visit the market. Additionally, he grows seasonal fruits like chikoo, jamun, bananas, and sugarcane, which provide extra income.

With turmeric now receiving a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, its quality and agricultural value have gained formal recognition. The Government of India has also set up a National Turmeric Board to promote the development and marketing of turmeric and its products, which will boost turmeric exports.

Expressing happiness over this, Manjibhai urged fellow farmers to begin organic farming on at least a small portion of their land and move towards toxin-free cultivation. He emphasized that abandoning chemical fertilizers and returning to natural farming is the only sustainable option.