Rising entrepreneurial spirits in the dunes of Rajasthan

When farmers collaborate in producer groups or organisations, they gain multiple advantages. An initiative by GRAVIS has helped many farmers in Rajasthan to move towards sustainable farming and benefit from economies of scale. The case of Omprakash serves as a prime example for others to embark on their own journeys towards sustainable farming and living.

Spice farmers in Rajasthan, particularly smallholders who aspire to establish successful agricultural enterprises, face significant challenges due to their poor integration into existing marketing systems. Other factors that render smallholding-based agriculture unfeasible include: geographical disaggregation, characterised by highly fragmented and scattered landholdings; rising production costs and limited access to public resources; inadequate access to suitable agricultural inputs and knowledge services (which would address specific technological problems); a lack of financial and credit services; insufficient technical training and support, as well as farming and extension services; and economic disparities that minimise opportunities in the spice market, leading to reduced income and making their crops less remunerative.

All of the above, combined with low income resulting from inefficient market systems, compel farmers to depend on exploitative middlemen and unnecessarily bear associated costs. Farmers also continue to grapple with stagnant or declining productivity. This decline is attributed to several factors, including widespread crop diseases and pests that are often poorly managed, further exacerbated by a lack of proper irrigation, water shortages, and poor water quality. Additionally, the excessive use of chemical fertilisers over decades has contributed to land degradation, impacting soil health and long-term productivity. There is also a need for higher input use per unit area to intensify production and improve quality, as current input levels might be a contributing factor to stagnant yields.

Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS), a registered Indian non-profit organisation, has been working towards the restoration of dwindling natural resources with small and medium-scale farmers in rural India to help them adopt climate-resilient farming practices. These farming families often lack alternative sources of income or external help. GRAVIS mobilises them into groups and builds their capacity by training them in regenerative agriculture and rainwater harvesting practices, while also improving their access to cleaner agricultural inputs, post-harvest support and profitable markets.

To provide smallholder spice farmers and their families with stable livelihoods and improve their access to market systems in the Thar Desert, GRAVIS initiated the Support Programme for Indian Cumin and Coriander Enterprise (SPICE) Project in 2019. The project aimed to reach 1000 cumin and coriander-producing farmers in 30 villages of Jodhpur district, Rajasthan. Farmers were organised into self-governing farming institutions such as Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with the aim of enhancing their productivity, achieving economic viability and securing higher returns for their produce.

When farmers collaborate in producer groups or organisations, rather than working as isolated individuals, they gain an advantage in the market and can benefit from economies of scale. While the ongoing project, now in its third phase, has navigated several challenges and yielded significant learning, GRAVIS remains committed to its foundational implementation strategies (See Box 1).

Lessons from the field: Omprakash’s story of economic empowerment and resilience

In the unforgiving Thar Desert, Tulsaram and his wife, Siru Devi, toiled hard in their field to make ends meet. They lived in Eka Bhatiyan, a remote village in the Phalodi district of Western Rajasthan, characterised by vast expanses of golden sand, relentless scorching sun, and perennial water scarcity. For many years, the couple practised rainfed farming, cultivating local, drought-resistant crops such as seasonal millets, pulses, and oilseeds. They applied traditional knowledge, which was well-suited to their land, until the tubewell culture became dominant in the region. This massive expansion of irrigation, involving groundwater extraction, simultaneously increased the possibilities of using high-yield seeds, chemical fertilisers, and pesticides. Practices promoted decades ago as sovereign remedies to enhance crop yield during India’s agricultural revolution had seamlessly travelled across state borders, influencing Tulsaram and farmers like him. Not only did he begin using chemical fertilisers on his farm, but he also guided his eldest son, Omprakash, into farming. At 14, Omprakash learnt that only synthetic inputs could improve the quality and quantity of farm produce. Amidst this experimentation with modern practices, which were neither guided nor ideally suitable for dryland areas, age-old regenerative practices were forgotten, eventually degrading the soil and contaminating both surface and groundwater.

Omprakash conveyed this to us with poignant honesty: “I have been dependent on urea, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), and chemical spraying for over 25 years. I briefly witnessed the advantages of these practices in the initial years, with higher yields and quick nutrient boosts for the soil. However, every year, my soil demanded a larger quantity of fertilisers than the previous. Even pests became immune, necessitating the use of stronger and costlier pesticides each time. The soil hardened and could retain less water than before. My crops experienced stunted growth with reduced yields, and the problem of pests and diseases persisted even more stubbornly every time I tried to curb it. As I continued to farm using the same old methods, I could see how my land had become incapable of growing anything naturally without external intervention. In recent decades, I have experienced climate changes, making it difficult to predict sowing cycles. Everything seemed uncertain, and my own land had begun to feel foreign. But things started to change for the better five years ago.”

In 2021, Omprakash attended a meeting organised by GRAVIS staff in his village. Surrounded by fellow farmers, he listened intently as the team discussed forming farmer collectives and adopting natural farming methods to revitalise their land, create a chemical-free ecosystem, and collectively improve their livelihoods. This would be achieved by gaining fair market access and prices for their produce. It was at this meeting that Omprakash first learned about ‘Organic Farming’ and its potential benefits. He was soon inducted into the Chamunda Farmer Interest Group (FIG) of his village. Focusing on the production of local drought-tolerant spice crops such as cumin, GRAVIS conducted on-farm and off-farm training sessions, led by expert agricultural scientists, for the Eka Bhatiyan Village FIG. Omprakash keenly participated, learning about preparing organic compost and biological pesticides at home, integrated pest management, crop rotation, mixed cropping, cover cropping, using technical equipment for land preparation, procurement, inventory management, pricing, coordinating with buyers, basic business planning, bookkeeping, accounting, and accessing various financial services like banks, Kisan (Farmer) Credit Cards, and Government crop insurance schemes.

It was now time for Omprakash to put his learning into practice. While his eldest son, Sarvan, who helps him with farming, was initially hesitant, Jagdish Seju, GRAVIS Field Supervisor, provided continuous support as Omprakash decided to cultivate cumin organically. He explained, “Such transitions are not easy and often face resistance. At GRAVIS, we support farmers through this process, helping them revive indigenous farming approaches in tandem with the scientific application of modern organic methods. Moving away from conventional farming, which is harmful to the soil, might initially lead to reduced yields and higher costs, but in the long run, it can contribute to lower input costs, restored soil health, and even a reduced farm’s carbon footprint.”

Omprakash began his transition to organic farming by first focusing on soil and land restoration. He committed to ceasing the use of chemical fertilisers and, for the first time, created vermicompost from organic waste, cow dung, and local plant materials. He also understood the importance of earthworms and microorganisms for soil health and made conscious efforts to enrich his farmland with organic matter. Frequent follow-up visits from the GRAVIS team helped build his confidence to implement new processes. He sourced indigenous cumin seeds, preserved in the community seedbank facilitated by GRAVIS, and began cultivating cumin using practices such as planting in rows and mulching. In the arid climate of the Thar, water management is crucial. GRAVIS introduced Omprakash to khadin – a traditional water storage mechanism in the form of an earthen embankment that captures and retains surface water from running off during the monsoon, naturally allowing percolation and moisture retention in the soil for months. The construction of the khadin was life-changing for Omprakash, as his cultivable land expanded and the soil was able to trap much-needed moisture for Rabi cultivation.

The initial phase of transition demanded patience from Om Prakash, as the first planting seasons yielded less produce than anticipated. Moments of doubt, intensified by community scepticism, followed him. He was one of the very few in his village to take this step, as many farmers were wary of abandoning their established methods. However, Om Prakash persevered, motivated by the vision of a sustainable future. Alongside GRAVIS, he meticulously documented his progress, noting gradual improvements in soil quality and crop health.

After three years of quiet nurturing and dedicated application of natural, yet labour-intensive, practices, his farm began to flourish. Previously barren and uncultivated stretches of land transformed into vibrant green montages. His cumin production increased by 50% compared to what he could ever achieve using chemical inputs. In 2024, he secured 40 quintals of cumin from 6 hectares, covering over 80% of his land. Witnessing this success, he also initiated cumin cultivation using natural methods on his late brother’s land. By 2025, a total of 70 quintals of cumin was harvested from 11 hectares.

To ensure profitable outcomes for farmers producing chemical-free cumin, GRAVIS facilitated their access to both domestic and export markets and buyers. In 2024 and 2025, Om Prakash’s produce was certified 100% toxin-free by EU organic standards, enabling him to secure a fair and better price in the export market. Whenever he has the opportunity, he shares his experiences with farmers who visit him for guidance. We were fortunate to be present during one such meeting. He remarked, “For years, I was feeding pesticides to my soil, family, animals, and to the people who bought my produce, perpetuating a cycle of sowing and reaping poison. Now, my family is healthier, and I know for sure that the first step towards building a sustainable food chain, of which we farmers are the most integral part, is to be aware of where and how our crops are being produced, how we are raising our animals, and what we are feeding them, our soil, and our water.”

Om Prakash has not only turned the tide for himself but has also set an inspiring example for many farmers in his village. His journey from conventional, fertiliser-heavy farming to mindful natural practices is a testament to resilience and the potential to thrive in the harshest environments, paving the way for his future generations and others to embark on their own journeys towards sustainable farming and living.

Krupa Gandhi
Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti
3/437, 458, M M Colony, Pal Road
Jodhpur - 342008, India
E-mail: krupa@gravis.org.in