Pratibha, who had taught maths for years in Bhopal, would hardly have thought that after gaining so much experience in teaching, she would set up a multi-crore business of organic food through farming and help about 1200 farmers earn their income through organic farming. Doubling will help.
After marriage, Pratibha came to Bhopal with her husband and her husband used to work here. However, her husband’s family has 50 acres of land in Harda, 150 km from Bhopal. Whenever Pratibha used to visit Harda, she used to see that farmers grow crops using chemicals in most of the fields and do organic farming in very few places.
When Pratibha asked the farmers what was the reason for growing organic crops in such a small space, the farmers told that the crops grown organically are for their own use, while the crops grown using chemicals are for selling in the market .
Pratibha said, “I was troubled by the fact that farmers use so many chemicals in their crops. I felt that people should have access to healthy food.”
Start the change from your home first
Pratibha started attending workshops and seminars on organic farming organized by the Agriculture Department of the state government. He also took admission in a course on organic farming in Delhi. Pratibha decided to start from her home before convincing other farmers. She inspired her husband and his family to take up organic farming.
Although at first they were hesitant, Pratibha suggested that they start with organic farming on a small plot. So, in 2016, he started growing wheat on a small patch of land. It takes about three to five years to switch from conventional farming to organic farming, as farms have to get rid of toxic chemicals and improve soil fertility by using organic inputs.
During conversion, there is usually a drop in yield. Pratibha used organic matter- like cow dung, organic manure like Jeevamrit and mulching to improve soil fertility.
Made your brand by making organic food products
Pratibha says that the wheat yield fell from 18 quintals per acre to about 10 quintals per acre on the land where organic farming was being done. He also tried growing mung beans on some parts of the land, but the entire crop was destroyed by pests. “It was frustrating, but I didn’t give up,” she says.
Along with organic farming, he also started his own organic food brand named ‘Bhumisha Organics’ in 2016, where 70 types of products are sold, including wheat, rice, pulses, spices, pickles, herbs, flour, quinoa , flax and chia seeds and cold pressed oils.
They have a customer base of around 400 people in Bhopal, Delhi and Mumbai. By 2019, Pratibha has converted her entire land to organic and has also obtained certification from the government. She grows wheat, and pulses like kulthi, gram and arhar. He has also planted medicinal plants like Rosella, Moringa, Hibiscus and Aloe vera.
His yield gradually improved, as the soil got a good amount of organic matter and now his crop production is more than that of conventional farming. Today, his annual turnover is more than Rs.1 crore.
1200 farmers are associated with Pratibha’s organic food business
Pratibha tried to reach out to the farmers of Harda to try organic farming. He told the farmers about the harmful effects of chemical farming and the benefits of organic farming. With a lot of effort, Pratibha convinced five to six farmers to do organic farming.
Gradually, seeing the good yield of some farmers associated with Pratibha, others also expressed their desire to join them and today around 1200 farmers are associated with Pratibha in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. She sources the produce from farmers and sells it under her own brand.
They have also tied up with other shops and retail outlets where farmers can sell their produce directly. She helps the farmers in farming by providing them training, guidance and seeds. Pratibha encourages farmers to plant medicinal plants on the borders of their fields as they get 10 per cent additional income. She also tells them the advantages of intercropping.
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While talking to the farmers, Pratibha realized that one of the major problems faced by them was lack of marketing and not getting good price for their produce. To strengthen the bargaining power of farmers and create marketing channels, he has helped organize farmers into three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
FPOs provide end-to-end support and services to smallholder farmers, covering technical services, marketing, processing and other agricultural inputs.
Now Pratibha is working to further expand her organic food business. With 2023 being celebrated as the International Year of Millets, Pratibha last year incorporated a new company, Krishika Naturals Pvt. Ltd. Has set up, where production and marketing of millet-based products is being done.
She recently signed an agreement with two Indonesian firms to export millet products. Pratibha may be a first generation businesswoman, but she has built a successful business and helped others do the same .
Now going forward she wants to help the farmers to get better price. Also, she wants to make organic food affordable for the customers. She wants to create a healthy environment for the generations to come.
If you want to know in detail about ‘Bhumisha Organics’, then visit their facebook page can join.
See also: Leaving corporate job, couple started organic farming, gave technical knowledge to other farmers as well
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