Sainya-Krishi Program – Solution in Brief

Sainya-Krishi Program - Solution in Brief

Combining the Discipline of Ex-servicemen with growing Demand for Natural Farming in India

The agricultural landscape in India is long overdue for transformation. While conventional farming methods have served their purpose, the need for sustainable and eco-friendly practices is undeniable.

This is where Gratitude Farms aims to step in with its flagship initiative: the Sainya-Krishi Program. This program is not merely about farming; it’s about empowerment, sustainability, and a commitment to a healthier future for India, with ex-servicemen as rural micro-entrepreneurs to drive the change towards natural farming.

The name “Sainya-Krishi” captures the essence of what we aim to do in this Program …. Combine the deep-rooted knowledge of natural farming we have developed over the years with the discipline and dedication of ex-servicemen and Agniveers (from the next year).

Our aim, through this Program, is to promote large-scale adoption of sustainable agricultural practices at the grassroots level, creating a ripple effect of positive change across the nation. ESM and Agniveers, duly trained and supported to become micro-entrepreneurs in their own villages, are our instruments of change.

Core Objectives of Sainya-Krishi Program

Over the next ten years,

1. Help convert 1 Million Acres of Agricultural Land into Natural Farming Practice.
2. Train and develop 50,000 Ex-soldiers / Agniveers as Micro-Entrepreneurs across India.
3. Achieve 2 Million Tons CO2 Reduction by 2035.
4. In the process, develop an army of grass-root leaders for Natural Farming revolution in partnership with Indian Armed Forces, Government Institutions and Global R&D Institutions in Climate change.

Environmental and Socio-economic Benefits and Impact

Sainya Krishi Program has deep economic, social, and environmental benefits, as listed below:

- Environmental Sustainability: The adoption of natural farming practices reduces the environmental impact of agriculture. This includes improving soil health dramatically, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing biodiversity.

- Economic Growth at Village level for small Farmers: Usage of BEC enables Natural Farming in a big way and helps increase in yields, reduced input costs, and improved market access for farmers.

- Social Impact: The program will create new livelihood opportunities. It will improve the quality of life for ex-soldiers and their families.

- Improved Public Health: Natural farming avoids the use of harmful chemical pesticides. This protects human health and promote safer food production.

- SDG Goal Alignment:
  - SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  - SDG 13: Climate Action
  - SDG 15: Life on Land

Contribute to revolutionising Rural Development in India. This program can transform rural development in India by:

1. Empowering Local Communities: By engaging ex-soldiers as change agents, the program empowers rural communities.
2. Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Through BEC, we can give a boost to natural precision farming that reduces dependence on chemical inputs. It also improves soil and water resources.
3. Conserving Natural Resources: The use of sustainable agricultural practices protect ecosystems, promotes biodiversity and promotes climate resilience.

There are many spin-off and contiguous opportunities, once we convert small farmers’ farmlands into natural farming practice. These include moving to high-value medicinal and fruit farming, Agro-forestry Projects and so on.

Core Theme of “Sainya Krishi” Program

The core theme of our business model is to combine the power of discipline and leadership of ESM (Ex-servicemen and from next year, Agniveers) with the high demand for adoption of Natural Farming by small farmers across rural India.

The Program is focused on generating consistently profitable revenue from primarily one Product, Biochar Enriched Compost (BEC). This is the fundamental product for improving soil quality in a sustainable manner in Natural Farming. Each acre so converted to Natural Farming, needs about 1-ton BEC per year.

The production relies on widely available raw inputs of locally available agricultural or forest biomass; by using high quality Biochar Machines, produced locally in India.

Biochar Enriched Compost: The Core Product for Sainya Krishi

- What is Biochar?
  - Charcoal-like substance produced from agricultural biomass waste.
  - Created through pyrolysis (heating in an oxygen-limited environment).

- Why Biochar?
  - Circular Economy: Converts waste into a valuable resource.
  - Soil Fertility: Improves structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.
  - Carbon Sequestration: Stable carbon form, removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
  - Higher Yields: Boosts crop production and farmer incomes.

- Biochar Enriched Compost (BEC)
  - Biochar enriched with compost enhances benefits for soil fertility improvement and to boost Natural Farming.
  - Compost provides nutrients; biochar improves retention.
  - Creates a closed-loop system: Waste -> Biochar -> Compost -> Soil -> Crops -> Waste.

- The Burgeoning Biochar Market
  - Global market for biochar was valued at USD 0.73 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 3.8 billion by 2032 (CAGR 23.2%).
  - - Driven by:
      - Demand for sustainable agriculture.
      - Government policies promoting carbon sequestration.
      - Increased awareness of benefits.
      - Technological advancements.

Further, Biochar, once deployed in soil, helps carbon sequestration and fetches excellent revenue through carbon credits.

Project Construct in Brief (Phase-I)

From Phase-2 through Phase-4, we will plan a major scale -up pan India with support from various Regimental Centres of Indian Army.