Sainya Krishi: The Problems we are trying to solve

To understand the impact of Sainya Krishi Program, let us delve deeper into the critical issues this initiative is designed to address:

Problem 1: The Silent Crisis of Soil Degradation

Indian agriculture is facing a looming crisis of widespread soil degradation. This is not a sudden catastrophe but a slow, insidious process driven by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and unsustainable farming practices.

The Scale of the Problem:

A staggering 95% of agricultural land in India is under chemical farming. While this approach has boosted production in the past, it has come at a significant cost.
India is among the highest consumers of fertilizers per unit of land in the world. The overuse of chemical fertilizers not only harms the soil but also contaminates water sources, leading to health hazards.
This over-use of chemical fertilizers disrupts the delicate balance of micro-organisms and nutrients, leading to a decline in soil health.
During the Green Revolution of 1970s, the demands of the time necessitated usage of chemical fertilizers to boost productivity and yields. This, while being initially successful, inadvertently created a dependency on chemical inputs and over time, led to a vicious cycle where farmers need to use increasingly large amounts of fertilizers to maintain yields, further degrading the soil.

According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), around 147 million hectares of land in India are affected by soil degradation. This includes loss of topsoil, nutrient depletion, and waterlogging.

The Consequences

Degraded soil loses its capacity to retain water, making crops more susceptible to drought.
It also becomes prone to erosion, washing away valuable topsoil and further reducing fertility.
It loses the soil microbes, so essential for plant growth.
Soil degradation also contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
It also increases the vulnerability of farmers to drought and other extreme weather events.
The loss to biodiversity due to excessive usage of chemicals in agriculture is another negative that adds to the overall imbalance.
All the above result in lower yields, increased dependence on chemical inputs, and ultimately, financial distress for farmers. The combination of declining yields, rising input costs, and volatile market prices has led to a deep agrarian crisis in India.

The need for transforming agricultural land to Natural Farming has never been higher. Use of biochar enriched compost helps to restore soil health, improve water retention, and reduce the need for harmful chemicals.

Problem 2: Need for Dignified Livelihoods for Ex-Servicemen in their villages

India has a unique resource in its ex-servicemen (ESM), individuals with a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and commitment to serving the nation. Every year, over 60,000 ESM retire from the Indian Army at a relatively young age of 35-45 years.

The Untapped Potential of Ex-Servicemen

A Ready Workforce: Ex-servicemen represent a readily available workforce with a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in rural India.
Leadership Qualities: Their military training instills leadership qualities, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively in teams – attributes highly valuable in the agricultural sector.
Rural Connection: Coming from rural backgrounds, many ex-servicemen have a natural affinity for farming and a desire to contribute to the development of their communities.

Addressing the Challenges of Transition

Despite their valuable skills, many ex-servicemen face challenges in transitioning to civilian life. Lack of economic opportunities in their villages often forces them to take up low-end jobs in cities, leaving their potential untapped.
Economic Empowerment: Sainya Krishi aims to provide a pathway for ex-servicemen to establish dignified livelihoods in their own villages, utilizing their skills and experience in the agricultural sector.
Skills Development: The program offers comprehensive training in natural farming practices, equipping veterans with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed as micro-entrepreneurs.

Developing Agniveers into a new Generation of Agri-Entrepreneurs

From end of 2026, an additional 30,000 Agniveers (aged 24-27) will be leaving the Army each year. These young soldiers, with their tech-savviness and adaptability, represent a new generation of potential agri-entrepreneurs, if we can meet their employment needs and develop them into micro-entrepreneurs in their own villages.
Embracing Innovation: Agniveers are likely to be more receptive to new technologies and innovative farming practices, accelerating the adoption of sustainable agriculture in rural areas.
A Force for Change: With their fresh perspectives and energy, Agniveers can become powerful agents of change, inspiring other young people to consider agriculture as a viable and rewarding career.

Unleashing the Potential of Natural Farming through Ex-servicemen and Agniveers

Sainya Krishi recognizes the immense potential for rural development if even a small percentage (5%) of ex-servicemen and Agniveers are developed as rural entrepreneurs.

Sustainable Income: The program aims to provide ex-servicemen and Agniveers with sustained income, creating economically viable and environmentally friendly agricultural businesses. By giving ESMs dignified livelihood in their own villages, Sainya Krishi aims to foster the rural adoption of natural farming practices.

Inspiring Leadership: They can become inspiring leaders at the grassroots level and role models to advocate for sustainable agriculture, inspiring other farmers to embrace natural farming.

Community Impact: By empowering ex-servicemen, Sainya Krishi creates a ripple effect of positive change in rural communities, fostering economic growth and promoting sustainable agriculture.

We are working closely with Army authorities to get their support for the Program.

Problem 3: The need and opportunity of carbon sequestration through Soil Enhancement (and promote carbon credits in Agriculture)

Climate change is a global crisis, and agriculture has a vital role to play in mitigating its effects.
India has set an ambitious target of removing 100 million tons of annual CO2 by the year 2035.
Biochar as a key Ingredient for Soil Fertility improvement also sequesters carbon.
Our Program focusses on the large-scale production and use of biochar, a charcoal-like substance produced from agricultural waste, as a powerful tool for carbon sequestration.
Biochar not only locks carbon in the soil for centuries but also improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.

Read more about Biochar and Biochar Enriched Compost in our next Article

By combining biochar with other natural farming practices, Sainya Krishi creates a holistic system that maximizes carbon sequestration while improving soil health and promoting sustainable agriculture.