Ruby Pareek made a unique contribution to society and nation building through organic farming

Ruby Pareek: Do you know that a woman farmer turned the pain of her life into a boon for the society? Today we will tell you the story of a woman from Rajasthan, who not only changed her life through organic farming, but also showed the path to a healthy future for others. The story of Ruby Pareek of Dausa district is a unique example of struggle and determination. Let us know how this woman farmer laid the foundation of a healthy society through organic farming.

Introduction of Ruby Pareek

Ruby Pareek is a resident of Dausa district of Rajasthan. Her husband’s name is Om Prakash. Ruby faced many difficulties in the early years of her life. Her father had a terrible disease like cancer, and due to this he died. All her assets were spent on the treatment of her father’s illness and the property was also sold off. Seeing this pain, Ruby thought about how many people must be going through similar situations and how much suffering they must be enduring. Thinking this, she resolved not to let anyone go through such pain.

Organic farming is the solution

After Ruby’s father’s death, she tried to understand the causes of diseases like cancer. In this research, she came to know that the chemicals and toxic chemicals used in the fields are the main cause of many dangerous diseases, especially cancer. Understanding this fact, she decided that if people adopt organic farming by staying away from chemical products, then many health problems can be avoided.

Organic farming is not only beneficial for the land, but it can also prove to be the best solution for protecting the environment and human health. This was the reason why Ruby resolved to adopt organic farming and made it her priority.

About crop and fertilizer

Ruby Pareek started organic farming on her land according to the season. She has grown several crops like wheat, gram, amla, lemon and karonda, which not only keep her fields green but also make her organic farm profitable. Along with this, she also grows other types of crops like green chillies, tomatoes, brinjal, and radish in organic way.

To ensure better growth and quality of crops, Ruby uses organic fertilizers like vermicompost and jeevamrut. These fertilizers not only increase the fertility of the land but also provide nutrition to the plants. Instead of chemical medicines, she makes a mixture of amla, buttermilk and cow urine and lets it rot for 21 days. This mixture is used as organic pesticide and fertilizer in the crop. These organic measures increase the quality of crops and at the same time, protect the environment. In this way, Ruby’s farm presents an example of organic farming, where the best use of natural resources is made.

An organization was formed to promote organic farming

Ruby Pareek has not only flourished her farms by adopting organic farming for the last two decades, but is also constantly striving to spread its benefits in the society. In 2006, a team of scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dausa came to her farm and gave her detailed information about organic farming. After this guidance, Ruby along with her husband Omprakash formed an organization, whose main objective was to spread the importance of organic farming in the society and make people aware about its benefits.

Also, fulfilling her responsibility towards the protection of the environment, Ruby has planted about 10,000 saplings on her farm. These plants not only supply oxygen, but also produce various fruits and flowers, which make the farm even more green. After this effort, his farm was registered in the name of “Pareek Organic Farm Khatwa”, which has become an example in the field of organic farming.

Provided employment to the needy

Ruby Pareek not only enriched her land with organic farming, but she also took many steps for the needy section of the society. In 2008, she established a vermicompost unit with a production capacity of 200 metric tons in Rajasthan in collaboration with NABARD. Many poor and helpless laborers got employment through this unit. Apart from this, through her work, Ruby also provided free vermicompost, earthworms and Azolla fern to poor farmers, so that they too can turn to organic farming and increase the fertility of their crops.

In view of these efforts of Ruby, “Kisan Club Khatwa” was awarded the state level award in 2011-12, which was a significant appreciation of her work.

Establishment of organic nutrition garden 

In 2015-16, Ruby Pareek founded “Kharaksh Utpadak Sangathan, Khatva Kisan Organic Producer Company Limited”. The main objective of this organization was to provide farmers with the right and suitable market for their organic products, so that they can sell their products at a fair price and increase their income. This initiative not only benefited the farmers but also promoted the importance of organic farming in the society.

After this, Ruby established organic nutrition gardens in many government schools. The aim of this initiative was to provide healthy and nutritious food to the children in the form of mid-day meal, so that their physical and mental development can be better. These nutrition gardens not only provide tasty food to the children but also explain to them the benefits of organic farming.

Apart from this, Ruby also established the Community Traditional Organic Seed Bank. Through this seed bank, free organic seeds are provided to farmers, especially women, so that they can start their crops in an organic way. This initiative not only provides cheap and healthy seeds to the farmers, but it also plays an important role in the promotion of organic farming.

Honours and Awards from the Chief Minister and other Ministers

In view of Ruby Pareek’s innovations and her hard work, she has received many big awards and honours, which have further inspired her work. In the last decade, she has received many important awards, which are a testimony to her hard work and dedication. In 2016, at the Global Level Gram Tech Agro Meet, she was honoured with the State Level Award by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje in a programme organised by the Department of Agriculture. After this, in 2017, National Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh honoured her with the “Krishi Prerna Award” in a programme organised by Mahindra Agro Samridhi.

In 2019, she was honoured by His Excellency Governor Kalraj Mishra in a programme organised at Shri Karna Narendra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jobner. After this, Ruby Pareek also received five national awards. The first of these awards was the “Dharti Mitra National Award”, given to her by Organic India at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Mumbai in 2021. The second award was the “Swayam Siddha Shikhar Samman National Award”, given by Kavi Kumbh Shimla in 2022.

In 2023, she also received the “Innovative Farmers National Award”, which was given by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary in a program organized by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Along with this, she also received the “Jaivik India National Award”, given by the International Competition Center for Organic Agriculture in 2023.

Also, Ruby Pareek was also awarded the “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Krishi Gaurav Award” in 2024, which was given by His Excellency the Governor of Gujarat and the great hero of natural farming Acharya Devvrat in a program of the National Agricultural Journalists Association. All these awards not only recognized Ruby’s hard work but also motivated her further so that she can contribute to the field of organic farming and innovation on a larger scale.

Benefits of Government Schemes and Subsidies

Ruby Pareek has taken advantage of many government schemes to expand and improve her organic farming. She has received assistance for schemes like solar pump, vermi hatchery, drip irrigation and fountain set, which make her farming more eco-friendly and empowering. Through these schemes, the process of irrigating her crops has become easy and cheap, as well as energy has been conserved. Additionally, the government also provided Ruby with seeds of medicinal plants and excellent fruits and vegetables, which she used on her farm, so that her products could be even better and nutritious.

Inspire and Educate others

Ruby Pareek believes that the success of organic farming cannot be limited to her farm only, but it is important to spread it to as many people as possible. With this thought, she has trained agricultural college students and especially farmer women about organic farming. So far, she has explained the techniques of organic farming and its benefits to about 23,000 people. Her hard work and dedication have inspired farmers to adopt organic farming.

Given Ruby’s contribution, she is invited as a special guest in various agricultural programs, where she highlights her success story and the importance of organic farming. This experience not only gives her satisfaction and happiness, but also helps in spreading awareness about organic farming.

Conclusion

Ruby Pareek believes that building a healthy society is possible only through organic farming and natural farming. This approach of hers also contributes to nation building. She also wants that innovation efforts should gain momentum and more and more people should benefit by using organic products. Her aim is to spread awareness about organic farming in the society so that people can understand its benefits and lead a healthy life.