‘Jungle Model Magic’: Gujarat Farmers Turn Farms into ATMs

Aug 08, 2024

In the heart of Gujarat, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking place. Farmers, once reliant on chemical-laden farming, are turning to natural and innovative farming solutions and are reaping huge benefits of diversification. Ratilal Sethiya, a conventional farmer, from Bhachau in Gujarat’s Kutch, was earlier involved in traditional farming of groundnuts, cotton, cumin and vegetables. But after realizing the harmful effects of chemicals, he embraced organic farming in 2009. He says adopting Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method and multi-cropping system also known as the ‘jungle model’, have turned his fortunes. He started organic dates farming in 2017, and today, his farm is a testament to the power of nature. Another example of innovation taking root in Kutch is the farm of Haresh Thacker, who has transformed his land into a dragon fruit paradise along with a range of other crops. He says a visit to Vietnam in 2012 inspired him to start dragon fruit farming, and innovative ideas such as drip irrigation, which he learnt in Israel, and the ‘jungle model’ have worked wonders for him. The government's support, especially the subsidies, have been a game-changer. A senior horticulture official said Kutch has immense potential, with about 59,000 hectares already into fruit crop cultivation. He said the government is committed to supporting farmers who adopt sustainable practices along with innovation.