A New Era of Smart Farming: How Dhirendra Kumar Bhanu Bhai Desai’s Technical Vision Became an Inspiration

Dhirendra Kumar Bhanu: Today, we will discuss a farmer who transformed his family’s agricultural practices by integrating modern technology, paving a new path in farming over the last three decades. This is the story of Dhirendra Kumar Bhanu Bhai Desai, who began his journey in 1991 and revolutionized farming through his determination and innovative experiments. His advancements not only increased his yield but also established him as a successful entrepreneur.

Taking Steps with a New Vision

In 1991, when Dhirendra started farming, traditional methods were the norm. However, low production and rising costs in conventional farming made him realize the need for something new to improve his family’s financial situation. He noticed that traditional methods yielded low profits because the quality of the produce was not up to the mark, and it didn’t fetch a good price in the market.

In 2002-03, during a visit to Jalgaon, he learned about and observed the tissue culture technique for the first time. Tissue culture helped him understand how a single crop could be grown using modern methods to increase yield. After returning from Jalgaon, he applied this technique in his village and found that both the quality and quantity of his produce improved significantly.

Beginning the Change with Tissue Culture and Drip Irrigation

After adopting the tissue culture technique, Dhirendra saw a marked increase in his farm’s productivity. Earlier, he used to farm using traditional methods, but with this new technique, both the quality of the crops and the harvesting time improved. Alongside tissue culture, Dhirendra introduced drip irrigation on his farm to optimize water usage and ensure the best growth conditions for his plants. The Government of Gujarat provided subsidies for drip irrigation, tissue culture technology, and Integrated Bio-Nutrient Management to help achieve export-quality production in a shorter duration using fewer resources.

With these techniques, he achieved a major breakthrough—harvesting bananas three times in just 27 months from a single planting, a feat that stunned the agricultural community. Following this, in 2014, he began exporting his produce. Today, he exports to Middle Eastern countries, making his farm a successful model of modern agriculture.

Establishing Cooperative Society and Local Enterprises

Dhirendra didn’t limit his success to his own fields. From 1991 to 2018, he established a Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) and a Cooperative Society specifically for banana growers to enable collective marketing and enhance farmers’ incomes. With a vision to foster local economic growth, he started a banana chip manufacturing unit in his village. This unit not only provided new job opportunities but also created a value chain for banana growers in the area. His efforts led to substantial cost savings—70% in water, 65% in energy, and 60% in labor—benefiting many small-scale farmers.

A Successful Journey: Setting a New Benchmark in Marketing

Dhirendra made significant strides in the field of marketing and distribution. During a time when communication methods were not as advanced, he maintained customer contact through regular phone calls and gradually established a name for his products. He shared, “Back then, we would insert coins to make calls and speak to customers. Despite limited means of communication, we maintained demand for our products and continue this work today through our FPO.”

Leading Agricultural Innovation with Drone Technology

Recently, Dhirendra made a groundbreaking move by using drone technology for his banana crop, becoming a pioneer in Gujarat. This initiative enabled more precise spraying of pesticides and fertilizers, saving both time and resources. His success with drone technology inspired many farmers to adopt the same methods, further cementing his reputation as a tech pioneer in agriculture.

Due to his use of drone technology, many farmers across Gujarat reached out to him and adopted his techniques. Even farmers’ channels and agricultural experts visited his fields to cover his work. As a mentor, he has trained thousands of farmers across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh through online and on-site programs. His contribution has been recognized widely, doubling farmers’ incomes and setting a new standard in smart farming.

Awards and Recognition: Honouring His Contributions

Dhirendra’s innovative methods and contributions to agriculture have earned him numerous accolades. He has received 2 international awards and over 30 national and state-level awards, including the prestigious IARI Innovative Farmer Fellow Award 2021 and Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Purashkar 2020 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. His efforts garnered national and international recognition, with his story being featured in newspapers, National DD, DD Kisan, and various Gujarat news channels. Recently, BBC News Gujarati produced a documentary on his farm, highlighting his best agricultural practices.

Additionally, Dhirendra was invited by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to attend the National Conference on Agriculture 2022 in New Delhi, themed “Doubling Farmers’ Income,” which was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.

Farmers’ Mentor and Community Leader

Dhirendra believes that if today’s young farmers understand and adopt new technologies, they can break free from the limitations of traditional farming and transform their farms into successful enterprises. Through his Cooperative Society, he provides guidance to many farmers, helping them increase their productivity and income. He has proven through his experience that no matter the challenges, efforts made in the right direction always lead to success.

Media Recognition and Honours

Considering his inspiring journey, many media channels have featured his story. His success stories were even broadcast abroad. On one occasion, a representative from a major channel spent an entire day in his village to understand his techniques up close. Later, his story was aired on TV, giving him wider recognition.

A Message for Farmers

Dhirendra’s message for the farmers is clear: with hard work, new ideas, and the willingness to adopt innovative practices, farming can become a profitable business. His story is a shining example of how perseverance and technology can redefine agricultural success. By embracing modern farming techniques, farmers can transform their fields and achieve prosperity.

So, let’s learn from Dhirendra’s inspiring story and take a step towards a prosperous future by adopting new technologies in agriculture.