In a remarkable achievement, Arvind Patel, a farmer from Ghelda village in the Detrioz taluka of Ahmedabad district, has earned Rs. 1.5 crore from his amla (Indian gooseberry) farming last year. This success is a testament to the potential of natural farming methods. Patel has also received the district-level Best Farmer Award for his efforts.
Traditionally, farming in Gujarat has been challenging, often leading to limited earnings. However, Patel has proven this notion wrong. He has flipped the script on the saying, “Income is pennies, expenses are rupees” to, “Expenses are pennies, income is rupees.” By focusing solely on amla cultivation, he has managed to generate significant profits.
Amla is popular not only for household consumption but also for its extensive use in Ayurvedic medicines. As a result, more farmers are showing interest in amla farming. Patel’s success in earning as much as a CEO of a multinational company from just amla farming is indeed inspiring.
Patel, who has studied up to the eighth grade, has shown that education is not the only path to success. He has embraced natural farming practices in the past five years, moving away from conventional methods. With 400 bighas of land, he has adopted innovative farming techniques that align with the Gujarat government’s natural farming initiatives.
His family, including his wife and two sons, supports him in his farming activities, but he primarily manages the operations. Alongside amla, Patel also cultivates other crops like turmeric. Between 2015 and 2017, he produced amla worth about Rs. 1 crore, but since starting natural farming, his yield has dramatically increased to Rs. 1.5 crores last year.
Patel attributes his success to the knowledge he gained from the Atma Project, which facilitated a visit to Anand Agricultural University. There, he interacted with progressive farmers and was inspired to start innovative farming practices.
K.K. Patel from the Atma Project noted that natural farming is gaining momentum in Ahmedabad district. Farmers are witnessing positive results and are increasingly turning to these sustainable practices.
Through his dedication and hard work, Arvind Patel has not only achieved financial success but has also earned a reputation as a leading farmer in his district. His journey serves as a motivation for many aspiring farmers, showing that with the right methods and determination, significant achievements are possible in agriculture.
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