Farmers have always been revered in Indian society, to the extent that we have a special prayer for them where we chant for their wellbeing- ‘Annadaata Sukhibhava’, or ‘may the giver of food be happy’! However, have we ensured that they are truly happy and healthy?
Global humanitarian leader and the founder of The Art of Living Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “If farmers are unhappy, our country cannot be healthy either.” Though the Green Revolution increased crop yields, rampant use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides has also led to soil degradation, water overuse, health problems for the farmers, loss of biodiversity, and financial distress.
There is a silent revolution brewing today, that has over 30 lakh farmers living healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives. How?
Reviving Traditional Wisdom: Rise of Natural Farming in India
Like most farmers around him, Ragghupathi Pudurchengam, a young farmer in his 30s from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, was into chemical farming. Even after leading a physically active life, he suffered from high blood sugar levels in his 20s that refused to budge. The farm yield was also not commercially viable because of low soil fertility and high expenses. This is when Ragghu decided to reach out to Gopalkrishna, The Art of Living natural farming trainer.
The training in natural farming opened up a world of knowledge that Ragghu did not even know existed, on the symbiotic relationship between nature and a farmer. For example, these farmers have been growing legumes and cereals together to enhance soil fertility, given the natural nutrient exchange taking place in nature between them.
How Chemical-Free Farming is Transforming Lives
He gradually shifted to chemical-free natural farming, only to find his chronic high sugar levels came down to normal. But his story does not just end with his life transformation. Armed with the knowledge of natural farming, he started preserving and growing 12 indigenous varieties of millets and rice, each having its medicinal properties, including ‘Thooyamalli’, a traditional variety of rice, that helped bring down his sugar levels.
The training led to a significant drop in the expense on chemical fertilizers, increased the soil fertility and health, and boosted the crop yield, thanks to the use of bio-catalysts. Ragghu even claims that another indigenous variety of rice called ‘Poongar Arisi’ helped his wife in childbirth.
The natural farming revolution by The Art of Living, which has trained 30 lakh farmers to gradually transition to growing food naturally at near zero input cost, has spread like a wild fire inspiring even the beneficiaries of natural farming to get trained and start growing their food, in a country where farmers have been living their family lands and this ancient practice, to find more lucrative opportunities in nearby cities.
When Anjali Malik was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in February 2024, she took it as a challenge to overcome this phase of her life. Malik, a retired school principal from Delhi, has always been leading a healthy lifestyle. She started eating naturally grown food in the last 10 years. She says that regular practice of yoga and Sudarshan Kriya (a powerful rhythmic breathing technique taught in Art of Living workshops) had made her sensitive to what she was consuming and how she was leading her life in general.
When she last met Dr. Ajay Gogia from AIIMS to check if she needed chemotherapy and radiation, the doctor told her she did not need it anymore.
From Crisis to Change: Farmers Embrace the Power of Natural Farming
This miraculous recovery and healing inspired Malik to get her hands dirty and start natural farming herself. Now, Malik wants to raise awareness about the health benefits of natural farming. She has teamed up with the volunteers of The Art of Living to conduct natural farming programs in desi cow rearing, kids gardening, terrace farming, and agri Teacher Training. Malik’s tryst with cancer has inspired her to focus on the medicinal values of naturally grown food.
A winner of the Krishi Bhushan Award 2022, Lakshmi More’s transition from a homemaker to being a natural farming advocate wasn’t by choice but by accident. More and her husband led a healthy life. They exercised regularly.
But a cardiac arrest changed everything for the Mores. More’s husband suffered a heart attack. In a bid to help him recover well, More got down to find the real cause of an untimely attack despite living a healthy lifestyle. The culprit, she realized, was the chemical in her food. This led her to look for toxin-free, clean food alternatives.
She got in touch with Prabhakar Rao, a natural farming trainer from The Art of Living, and learned about gardening techniques that use some of the principles of natural farming! More’s work in natural farming revived the health of her family and brought them more financial stability.
The best part of the story is when More decided to spread the benefits of natural farming to every nook and corner of rural Maharashtra. The state government has recognized More’s work with farmers, honoring her with the Dynamic Leadership Award in 2021. among farmers. The Governor of Maharashtra awarded her the Dynamic Leadership Award in 2021.
“Good health and sustainable farming go hand in hand,” says Gurudev, “When we support natural and traditional farming, we not only protect nature but also safeguard the well-being of those who nourish us."
