Buxar: For years, organic farming has been the buzzword in Indian agriculture. But in Naya Bhojpur village of Buxar district, farmer Santosh Pandey—popularly known as Ashutosh or Munna Pandey—has been practicing something older and deeper: natural farming. His journey from a medical representative to a full-time farmer reveals how traditional methods can blend with innovation to create low-cost, high-yield farming.
What is Natural Farming?
Ashutosh explains that natural farming revives age-old practices where soil fertility is preserved and even enhanced without chemical dependence. Instead of purchasing fertilizers, he makes his own natural fertilizers using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, gram flour, and soil from beneath a Peepal tree.
He has even given names to the fertilizers he prepares—Yuvamrit, Dhanamrit, and Beejamrit. Each serves a distinct purpose:
- Yuvamrit: Boosts soil fertility by increasing microorganisms.
- Dhanamrit: Applied during plantation in solid form, helping plants grow faster and healthier.
- Beejamrit: Used for seed treatment, acting as a natural fungicide that prevents diseases and ensures strong germination.
“By using these natural inputs, nitrogen is supplied to the soil, and crops become more resilient,” Ashutosh says. “Even fodder grows better with the same cow dung mixture.”
Low Cost, High Profit Farming
On his five-acre land, Ashutosh relies almost entirely on these homegrown solutions. He does not produce the fertilizers commercially but uses them for his own fields. The results, he says, are remarkable: crop production has increased compared to conventional farming while costs have fallen significantly.
“This method makes farming a profitable deal,” he adds. “I save money, the soil stays healthy, and the produce is of much better quality.”
Ashutosh has also become a mentor to other farmers in the area, teaching them how to adopt natural farming practices for better returns.
Crops in High Demand
The list of crops Ashutosh cultivates through natural farming is long and diverse—bitter gourd, banana, lemon, brinjal, papaya, cauliflower, capsicum, and more. His produce enjoys high demand in the local market, thanks to its quality and freshness.
In addition, he has ventured into mushroom cultivation, which he says is now largely self-sufficient, reducing dependence on external products. Encouraged by this success, he has also experimented with strawberries. “The trial was successful,” he notes. “The climate of Bihar suits strawberry farming, and I am planning large-scale cultivation from next season.”
From Medicine to Farming
Ashutosh’s story is also one of personal transformation. Until 2006, he worked as a medical representative in the pharmaceutical industry. But his passion for farming drew him back to his roots.
“Farming has unlimited scope,” he says. “It offers high profits with low investment if one has the right guidance and management.”
He credits Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Buxar, and various agricultural universities for helping him gain the technical know-how to modernize his farming. Today, he blends scientific methods with traditional practices to grow both mushrooms and seasonal green vegetables.
Blending Tradition and Science
According to him, traditional farming alone has limitations. But when linked with scientific techniques, costs reduce and yields double. His experience stands as a model for other farmers in Bihar who are struggling with rising costs of chemical fertilizers and market uncertainties.
By keeping his practices natural yet scientific, Ashutosh Pandey has not only sustained his land but also carved out a new path in farming—one that is profitable, eco-friendly, and deeply rooted in tradition.
