Jabalpur: How Sheela Kushwaha earns 20,000 rupees every month through natural farming; grows organic vegetables and has reduced cultivation costs by using cow dung manure
By adopting natural farming, farmers can earn a good income even with low input costs. A case in point is Sheela Kushwaha from Parsala village in the Majhauli development block of Jabalpur in MP . She cultivates vegetables on her three-acre plot using natural and organic methods, earning an income of approximately Rs 20,000 per month. By replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides with organic manure and natural pest-control agents, she has also managed to reduce her cultivation costs.
Sheela Kushwaha uses cow dung manure for her vegetable crops; she dries and sieves the dung before applying it to her fields. To protect her crops from pests, she prepares a concoction called 'Neemastra'—made from neem leaves, cow dung, and cow urine—which eliminates the need to purchase expensive chemical pesticides from the market.
Selling vegetables directly in local markets
Sheela does not stop at merely growing vegetables; she also ensures they reach customers directly. She sets up stalls to sell her produce at the Jabalpur Agricultural Produce Market (Krishi Mandi) on Sundays, in Katangi on Mondays, and in Majhauli on Thursdays. Additionally, she sells her vegetables at an organic market held near the Mahakaushal Lalit Kala Mahavidyalaya. Selling directly to consumers allows her to secure better prices for her produce.
Reduced costs, better returns
According to Sheela Kushwaha, adopting natural farming has significantly improved her income and profit margins. While conventionally grown vegetables might sell for around ₹20 per unit in the market, her organic produce fetches between ₹35 and ₹40. This enables her to earn better returns. Furthermore, the elimination of expenses on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has lowered her overall farming costs.
Sheela’s initiative demonstrates that through natural farming and direct-to-market sales, farmers can not only increase their income but also make agriculture a more cost-effective and sustainable enterprise.