Sadhana Tiwari is a woman farmer inspired by organic farming and progressive techniques

Sadhana Tiwari, a resident of Madhavgarh village in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, is a progressive woman farmer who not only made herself successful by adopting organic and natural farming but also became a source of inspiration for other farmers. Born on 16 October 1986, Sadhana has not only adopted organic farming on a commercial level on 11 to 15 acres of land in the last 10 years, but has also established it as a healthy and sustainable agricultural method.

Journey of organic farming

Sadhana started her organic farming journey 10 years ago. Initially, she used to farm for her family on only 1-2 acres of land. Gradually, she understood the importance of organic farming and decided to adopt it on a large scale. Today, she grows many crops like rice, vegetables, and fruits in her farm using organic methods.

According to her, organic farming not only improves the quality of produce, but it also makes the crop more nutritious and safe. She uses organic manures like cow dung manure, vermicompost, and Nadep manure.

Sadhana said that the biggest advantage of organic farming is that it does not harm the environment and the crops produced are chemical free. “For us, organic farming is not only a business but also a way to provide healthy food for our family and society,” she said.

Farming Method and Challenges

Sadhana cultivates a variety of crops in her 11-15 acre farm. She divides her farm into two parts, one of which is completely dedicated to organic farming. Her farm operations are based on the following processes:

1. Use of organic manure: She uses cow dung manure, vermicompost, and manure made from crop residues.

2. Use of natural pesticides: Sadhana uses natural pesticides like neem oil and panchgavya to protect the crops from harmful insects.

3. Water conservation: She conserves water by using canals and ponds in her farm.

4. Crop diversity: She grows rice, wheat, vegetables and fruits, so that biodiversity is maintained and the fertility of the land is also preserved.

However, Sadhana admitted that there are many challenges in converting the entire farm to organic farming. There may be a decrease in production while shifting from chemical farming to organic farming, but she considers it necessary for her family and the environment.

Namo Drone Didi Yojana and technological innovation

Sadhana Tiwari has made technological innovation in her work by taking advantage of the Namo Drone Didi Yojana. Under this scheme, she started spraying natural fertilizers and pesticides for farming through drones.

Sadhana says that the use of drones saves both time and labor in farming. However, she also told that the battery capacity and cost of the drone are her main concerns. She suggested that the government and drone manufacturing companies should focus on increasing the efficiency of the battery and providing proper training to the farmers.

Regarding the use of drone technology, she says, “Spraying through drones saves time and resources. This technology can prove to be very useful for farmers in the future.”

Honors and achievements

Sadhana Tiwari has received many awards and honors for her contribution, which is a recognition of her work. Prominent among them are:

1. ICAR Fellow 2024

2. ICAR Innovative 2022

3. JNKVV Fellow 2021

4. RVSKVV Fellow 2023

5. INSEE Women Farmer 2024

These honors not only appreciated her work, but also made her a source of inspiration for other farmers.

Economic and social contribution

Sadhana’s annual income from farming is Rs 11 to 20 lakh, which is the result of her hard work and innovation. She told that the production cost in organic farming is low and the profit is high.

She also inspires other farmers by telling them the benefits of organic farming. She has developed her farm as a practical learning centre, where she teaches organic farming techniques to farmers.

Sadhana says, “Organic farming not only protects our environment but also increases the income of farmers. It is a gift for our future generations.”

Future plans

Sadhana Tiwari plans to set up an organisation to deliver her organic products across the country. Apart from this, she wants to start a training centre to empower women and increase their participation in the field of farming.

She believes that adopting organic farming and technological innovations can give a new direction to Indian agriculture.

Sadhana Tiwari’s work is inspirational not only for the farmers of Satna district but also for the farmers of the entire country. Her hard work, dedication, and innovation have proved that through organic farming, not only can we save our environment but also establish a sustainable and profitable agricultural system.

Her story gives the message that if farmers carry forward their traditions and modern techniques, they can not only become self-reliant but can also bring a positive change in the society. The life and work of Sadhna Tiwari is an example that shows that even a woman farmer can achieve great achievements in the field of agriculture with her determination and hard work.