Raj Bahadur Saini stands as a towering figure in the organic agriculture movement in Uttarakhand. Currently serving as the CEO and Secretary of the Village Development Society, he also holds several crucial roles including State Coordinator of Vibha Vani (Vigyan Bharti) Delhi, District Convener of FORCES Uttarakhand, and State Convener of the Voluntary Action Network India (VANI). Beyond his administrative leadership, it is Saini’s deeply personal journey, fueled by idealism, community engagement, and an unwavering belief in living soil, that has helped build an organic movement from the ground up.
Saini’s formative years were shaped by both academic excellence and a keen understanding of societal dynamics. He holds an M.A. in Political Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD), a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights and Journalism (PGDHJ), and a Master’s in Social Work (MSW). These academic pursuits prepared him for a nuanced approach to development, but it was his early professional experience in journalism, from 1993 to 2000 with leading newspapers like Amar Ujala and Dainik Jagran, that sharpened his insight into public policy and grassroots realities.
Seeds of a Philosophy
However, the real inspiration behind his life’s work came not from classrooms or newsrooms, but from his father, a spiritually grounded, environmentally sensitive farmer. His father would often say, “We can recreate machines, tools, even houses, but we can never recreate living soil.” He forbade any tampering with plants or trees after sunset, believing they, too, needed rest. These values laid the philosophical bedrock of Saini’s life mission: to protect the land and its life-giving potential.
Between 1990 and 2000, Saini noticed a disturbing pattern. Where previously only one family member might fall sick occasionally, now entire families suffered from chronic diseases. This, he concluded, was tied to the growing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. The land, once fertile and vibrant, was turning fatigued. Pests were adapting, new plant diseases were emerging, and livestock health was deteriorating. These realizations pushed him to shift focus from journalism to advocacy for organic farming.
Institutional Leadership and Early Milestones
From 2002 to 2009, while working with the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board (UOCB), Saini launched widespread awareness campaigns in Haridwar district. His model focused on three foundational pillars:
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Training & Capacity Building: He organized extensive training for farmers, government officials, and technical staff on preparing vermi-compost, bio-pesticides, and liquid manures.
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Formation of Certified Organic Farmer Groups: Each village identified “model farmers” who were trained and supported in gaining certification and producing their own organic inputs.
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Market Integration: Saini facilitated branding, packaging, and market linkages for organic produce, thereby increasing credibility and economic returns.
Key features of UOCB include:
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Collection and branding of manure from certified organic farmers.
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Sales to institutional buyers in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
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Management by a local farmers' federation, ensuring fair profit distribution.
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Expansion to include organic vegetables and establish village- and block-level organic input stores.
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A zero-waste supply model where unsold goods were brought back and reused.
Between 2003 and 2008, this model generated a turnover of ₹80–90 lakhs, establishing itself as a replicable ecosystem model.
Devbhoomi Amrit: A Model for Replication
A significant milestone in Saini’s career came in 2024 with the founding of Devbhoomi Amrit, a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). Devbhoomi Amrit currently deals in sugar, jaggery, turmeric, honey, and millets, involving around 500 farmers. While the current turnover is modest Rs 8–12 lakhs annually, it has created a strong foundation for future expansion.
Challenges on the Organic Path
Despite his achievements, Saini's work has not been without hurdles.
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Market Demand vs. Supply: Haridwar holds immense potential for cultivating medicinal plants like Safed Musli, Black Turmeric, Sarpagandha, and Ashwagandha. However, mandi systems are not prepared to absorb increased production due to inconsistent demand.
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Unfair Pricing: Organic farmers often do not receive fair prices for their produce. Middlemen purchase goods at low rates and sell them at premium prices, discouraging farmers from organic transition.
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Milk Distribution Chain: Saini has worked with dairy distribution and found that adulterated milk often mimics the fat content of pure milk, making detection difficult. He advocates for affordable laboratory testing facilities to aid small-scale producers.
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Sustainability of Leadership: One of Saini’s critical observations is that community-driven organic programs often lose momentum without consistent and passionate leadership. Emotional investment, mentorship, and continued support are vital for sustainability.
Forward-Thinking and Future Goals
Saini envisions a future where organic farming is not just a practice, but a thriving, full-spectrum industry. He emphasizes that every step, from seed selection to packaging, presents opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. His focus areas for future development include:
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Promotion of microbial inoculants and local bio-input production units.
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Advocacy for carbon farming and regenerative practices in alignment with climate action.
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Implementation of tech-enabled traceability systems for organic certification.
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Nurturing youth-led agripreneurship, especially through FPOs.
Saini believes that restoring agriculture’s cultural ethos is as important as restoring its ecological balance. Organic farming is no longer just about sustainability, it is about identity, livelihood, and long-term planetary survival.
Raj Bahadur Saini’s journey from journalist to organic farming pioneer is a testament to grassroots leadership and visionary thinking. His work in reviving soil health, empowering farmers, and building sustainable value chains aligns deeply with the mission of the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN). As a platform that brings together innovators, agripreneurs, and policymakers, GFBN amplifies voices like Saini’s to inspire change and foster collaboration. His story underscores that organic farming is not just a practice, but a movement rooted in ecological wisdom and community spirit.
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals, farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
