8,000 farmers benefit from organic farming initiative in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: At least 8,000 farmers in Junagadh’s Mangrol Block embraced sustainable agriculture under a CSR initiative by a private sector bank. Launched in 2021, the project spans 55 villages and focuses on promoting organic farming practices to improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce dependency on chemical inputs.
The project is part of HDFC Bank’s Parivartan Climate Smart Agriculture initiative and has helped farmers adopt methods like composting, natural pest management, and bio-input production. "As part of the initiative, some 1,250 farmers obtained organic certification so far, with 2,250 acres of land converted to chemical-free farming. Economic gains followed—119 groundnut farmers earned an additional Rs 4.5 lakh, while an oil processing unit supported 165 farmers in selling 3,100 oil tins, generating profits of Rs 31 lakh. Efforts are also underway to link products like turmeric, honey, and pearl millet to the premium market," the bank said in a statement.
The program also establishes model farms and equips farmers with resources to produce vermicompost and natural pesticides. By creating market linkages, it ensures better prices for organic products, boosting rural incomes.
In Kheda district, another initiative under the same CSR program focuses on combating soil erosion along the Mahi River. High-quality millet seeds provided to 375 farmers improved productivity and restored over 300 acres of degraded land.