Surat : A Teacher-Turned-Farmer’s Triumph in Natural Farming

Surat, Gujarat : Women across India are breaking stereotypes and proving their mettle in every sector, including agriculture. One such inspiring story is that of 44-year-old Saralaben Rathod from Barodiya village in Mahuva taluka, Surat. Once a schoolteacher, she took up farming alongside her 65-year-old mother, Nayanaben, after her father’s demise in 2013. Today, she stands as a symbol of self-reliance and success, practicing natural farming using cow dung manure and cow urine to cultivate bananas and turmeric.

Overcoming Stereotypes and Challenges

Saralaben’s journey wasn’t easy. Initially, many in her village mocked her, saying farming was not for women. But she remained undeterred. With knowledge gained from a workshop at Navsari Agricultural University and support from the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), she plunged into natural farming, proving her critics wrong.

“When I decided to take up farming, people laughed at me. They said women belong in the house, not in the fields. But today, those same people respect me,” she says with pride.

Government Support Paving the Way

Saralaben received crucial assistance under the Tissue Culture Banana Scheme from the Project Director’s office in Mandvi. Through this scheme, she planted 1,500 banana saplings and received compost, fertilizers, and fungicides. This support significantly reduced her investment costs.

Reaping the Rewards of Hard Work

In the 2021-22 season, Saralaben planted the 1,500 banana saplings on 2.5 acres of land. The total cost of cultivation, including sowing and maintenance, amounted to approximately ₹90,000. However, thanks to government subsidies, she had to bear only ₹30,000 of this amount. Now, with the banana harvest ready, she expects to earn nearly ₹3 lakh, securing a net profit of ₹2.5 lakh.

“Natural farming has not only made me financially independent but also given me the satisfaction of contributing to a healthier and sustainable farming system,” she adds.

Diversification for Higher Income

In addition to bananas, Saralaben and her mother have successfully cultivated turmeric as an inter-crop. They process the turmeric into powder and sell it online, generating an additional income of ₹30,000 per month.

Financial Aid for Farming Equipment

To further ease their farming efforts, Saralaben received subsidies from the Gujarat government for agricultural equipment:

₹22,140 for a turmeric pulverizer machine

₹32,250 for a power tiller

₹10,000 for a jerk machine

₹8,000 for a pressure pump

A Role Model for Women in Agriculture

Saralaben Rathod’s dedication to natural farming has turned her into an inspiration for other farmers in her village and beyond. More women are now taking up farming, motivated by her success.

“Farming has given me a new identity. I want to encourage more women to embrace agriculture and become self-reliant,” she says.

Her story stands as a testament to how perseverance, government support, and sustainable practices can transform lives, making her a beacon of hope for aspiring female farmers across India.