As the final boarding call for the Rewa-bound flight echoed through the terminal, Niraj Kumar Singh held his two children close and said goodbye once again. When the flight prepared for departure, he waved one last time before turning away, his heart heavy yet filled with purpose.
For most people, this kind of back-and-forth between two lives, one in a city like Mumbai, where your family lives, and another in the heart of rural Madhya Pradesh, where your passion grows from the soil, would be exhausting. But for Niraj Singh, this has become a way of life.
“My wife and children have supported me fully in living my passion, even though it means I have to travel often and stay away from them for long periods. I am grateful,” says Niraj.
Call of the Soil
With a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from BITS Ranchi and a well-paying corporate job, Niraj had every reason to stay within the comfort zone of a 9-to-5 life. But his heart longed for something deeper, something that would make a difference not just in his life, but in the lives of others too.
“I was always passionate about natural farming,” he shares. “I worked in the corporate sector for five years, but I couldn’t ignore the inner voice nudging me toward the land.”
In December 2014, Niraj finally listened to that voice. He quit his job and returned to his native place in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, to pursue natural farming full-time.
Turning Point: Training in Natural Farming
Quitting a stable career wasn’t easy. Niraj faced questions from family and friends, Why would someone give up a secure job? Is farming even viable anymore?
But he wasn’t doing this alone. Niraj found clarity and inspiration through a natural farming teacher training program conducted by the Art of Living in 2013.
“I was in awe,” he recalls. “This ancient yet scientific approach, how to prepare natural fertilizers and pesticides, how to work with the land and not against it, it changed everything for me.”
With just limited savings and big dreams, Niraj decided to start small. Today, he farms naturally on a 3-acre plot of land he owns and another 25-acre plot he has taken on lease.
Farming with Zero Cost Fertilizers
When resources are limited, innovation steps in. Niraj invested in cows, not just for milk but for their invaluable contribution to natural farming.
“Cow dung and urine are rich sources of nutrients. I use them to prepare Panchagavya and Jeevamruth, powerful, all-natural fertilizers and pesticides,” he explains.
From a single cow, he was able to meet the needs of one acre of land, completely eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Not just that, the milk and milk products became an added source of income.
“I earn around Rs 75,000 per month just by selling milk products,” Niraj shares. “That’s not just money, it’s sustainability.”
“My cost for fertilizers and pesticides is zero today. Compared to chemical farming, I easily get 2 to 3 times more yield per acre of land,” says Niraj. “It’s not just about being organic, it’s about being productive and efficient too.”
Ancient Grains, Modern Impact
But Niraj’s success doesn’t stop with fertilizers. He also turned his attention to reviving ancient grain varieties that have been long forgotten.
He cultivates ‘Sona Moti’ wheat and ‘Buddha Rice’, rare and nutrient-rich varieties that predate the Green Revolution. These grains, with their high protein and mineral content, are naturally healthier and fetch a better price in the market.
“I sell Sona Moti wheat for nearly double the price of chemically farmed wheat,” Niraj says. “People today are more health-conscious, and naturally grown ancient grains are making a comeback.”
His farm has now become a living example of how sustainable practices can also be profitable.
Challenges in the Field
Despite his success, Niraj doesn’t sugarcoat the realities. Farming, especially natural farming is tough.
“One of the biggest issues is stray animals. Fencing is expensive and not always practical,” he says. “Also, skilled labour is hard to find, especially during harvest time.”
He points out the deeper cause, the breakdown of joint families and migration of youth to cities.
“Earlier, families had 20-30 members, and there were always young men around to help with labour-intensive tasks,” he notes. “Now, with nuclear families and urban migration, it’s a challenge to find manpower.”
Even when Niraj visits his family in Mumbai, he has to carefully plan who will take care of the cows in his absence.
Staying Positive and Solution-Oriented
What keeps Niraj going is his unshakable passion and purpose. “Growing healthy food for ourselves and others is the biggest motivation,” he says. And while he acknowledges the gaps in infrastructure and labour, he believes that the solution lies in collaborative efforts.
“For example, stray animal management requires district-level intervention,” he points out. On the issue of labour shortages, Niraj sees potential in rural employment initiatives.
NGOs like The Art of Living are already setting up skill development centers in rural India. But to create large-scale change, he believes more collaboration is needed, between government agencies, non-profits, private sectors, and the farmers themselves.
“Natural farming is not just about food. It’s about healing the soil, restoring health, and bringing dignity back to the life of a farmer,” he says.
Today, Niraj Kumar’s farm isn’t just producing wheat and rice. It’s growing hope. His journey has inspired many other young farmers in the region to explore natural farming.
His approach, rooted in tradition but driven by innovation is helping redefine what modern Indian farming can look like.
“I’m not against technology or modern practices,” he clarifies. “But I believe that our future lies in combining wisdom from our past with smart solutions for today.”
Back in Mumbai, his children wait eagerly for their next hug. And in Rewa, his land continues to breathe, rich, alive, and free from chemicals.
