We, at Gratitude Farms, are working in the space of Natural Precision Farming. Our “Food-Forest” model combines knowledge of traditional natural farming with technology and operational processes. The element of “operational processes” is key to success in natural farming, whether it is done in a small two – acre farm or a large 100-acre farm.
WHY NATURAL FARMING?
The demand for natural / organically grown products in India is rising rapidly and is likely to only increase in coming years. The reasons are not far to seek - rising health consciousness, increased consumer spending on healthy foods, growing incidences of food adulteration, reckless usage of chemicals in agricultural practices and so on.
Further, natural / organic farming’s benefits far transcend the economic benefits. The focus on microbial richness of soil and its consequent positive impact on soil-fertility, water conservation practices, zero chemical inputs and so on, lend themselves to a high degree of environmental benefits.
WHY EX-SERVICEMEN (ESM)?
Take any well-run rural program. It will, in all likelihood, furnish two critical predictors of success - an inspiring leader at grass-root level and a consistent quality of execution. It is the same for any natural farming project, where mindset change among farmers has to be achieved through demonstration of results on ground against fairly high odds.
It is our belief that ESM, duly trained and developed, are ideally suited to be the instruments of change in mass adoption of natural farming practices across India.
THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF EX-SERVICEMEN FOR RURAL ECONOMY
A typical soldier is usually from rural background. He has spent around 15 to 20 years of his best years in Armed Forces. He is well-trained, has all potential abilities needed to be a grass-root leader. He is well-respected in his community.
A large percentage of soldiers retire in the age group of 35 to 45 years. After retirement, they want to go back and settle down in their village. But often, lack of economically viable options force many of them to take up low-end jobs in cities like security guards, drivers and so on.
That is a travesty at multiple levels. An ex-serviceman deserves better after two decades of service to the nation as a soldier. Further, while there is an acute need for grass-root leadership at village level, we, as a society, fail to utilise the potential of an ESM for the purpose.
The numbers at stake are non-trivial. Every year, over 50 - 60,000 soldiers retire from Indian Armed Forces. That makes for over half a million of them who have retired in last 10 -15 years or so, with a large percentage of them from rural background. A huge impact can be created in rural development, if even 10% of them are developed as natural farming entrepreneurs.
GRATITUDE FARMS: AN EX -SERVICEMEN ENTERPRISE
On our part, we have set ourselves a mission to help convert a million acres of agricultural land to Natural Precision Farming in next 10 years; and in the process, help 100,000 ex-soldiers become Natural Farming entrepreneurs.
Each ESM, whom, we can help succeed, has the potential to be a change-maker in his community and village.
In addition to rural entrepreneurship, there is a huge demand for high quality Farm Managers. These Farm Managers, once trained and deployed, will get continuous support on crop management, yield management and farm operations through our Agri-Operations Centre (currently, work-in-progress).
Early days yet, but we are getting support from many institutions like Mission Samriddhi, Samunnati Financials, Indian Army and ESM Organisations, to scale up our Programs for ex-servicemen.
Any effort like this needs wide participation, expertise from multiple domains. We are looking for support from individuals and institutions, in terms of funding, CSR Projects and participation in our programs.
Write to us at vpsharma@gratitudefarms.co.in
