Samman 2024 : Story of transformation in agriculture with modern technology: Inspiring journey of Rajesh Saini

Rajesh Saini, a resident of Mukairian village in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, has set a new example by successfully using modern techniques along with traditional farming in his 6-10 acre farms. He not only increased the productivity of his fields but also contributed significantly to environmental protection. His story is an inspiration for farmers who have the courage to adopt innovation in farming.

Beginning and inspiration

Rajesh started with traditional methods of farming. But problems of crop residue management pushed him towards new techniques. In 2018, he adopted the Pusa Decomposer technology, which proved to be revolutionary for his fields and soil fertility.

Rajesh explains:

“Burning of stubble in the traditional way was harmful to soil fertility and environment. Pusa Decomposer not only solved this problem but also improved the quality of my soil.”

A Successful Technology

Pusa Decomposer, which Rajesh adopted in 2018, is an organic method that converts crop residues into soil by rotting them in 30-40 days.

Effects of this technology:

1. Improved soil quality: Soil fertility increased due to enrichment of organic matter.

2. Reduced use of chemical fertilizers: The need for fertilizers decreased due to improved soil structure.

3. Environmental protection: Helped prevent pollution caused by stubble burning.

“It was challenging in the initial days as farmers are always skeptical about new technology. But when the results came out, other farmers also started adopting it,” Rajesh said.

Scale of innovation

After the successful results of Pusa Decomposer in 2018, Sharda Launchpad Federation selected his fields for the experiment. This experiment conducted in 2021 also gave exceptional results.

In addition, an international organization called South Pole evaluated the Pusa Decomposer technology and accepted it for carbon credits.

“This technology is a big contribution to climate change under carbon credits. It can also bring economic benefits to farmers,” explains Rajesh.

Honors and Achievements

Rajesh received several national and state-level awards for his work. These include:

1. 2018: Felicitated by Block Agriculture Office and Agriculture Department for “Adoption of New Technology and Straw Management”.

2. 2019: Award for “On Farm Residue Management” by KVK Bahowal, Hoshiarpur.

3. 2020: Appreciation letter for outstanding contribution in “Crop Residue Management” by District Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur.

4. 2022: “Innovative Farmer Award” by ICAR-IARI.

5. 2024: “Fellow Farmer Award” by ICAR-IARI.

Rajesh says, “These honors strengthened my hard work and inspired me to work with new techniques.”

Contribution to environmental protection

Rajesh not only improved his farming but also made a big contribution to environmental protection. To solve the problem of stubble burning, he promoted the use of Pusa decomposer in his village.

He says, “Burning stubble not only harms the environment but also reduces the fertility of the soil. By adopting organic methods, we got a solution to both the problems.”

Inspiration for farmers

Rajesh’s fields are now seen as a training center. Here farmers learn to use Pusa decomposer and modern techniques.

He told, “I want more and more farmers to adopt this technology and make it beneficial for the environment and their crops.”

Use of government schemes

Although Rajesh took limited benefit of government schemes, his success is a proof of how government techniques and resources can be used properly.

“Government schemes can be of great help to farmers, but it is important to implement and use them correctly,” he says.

Future plans

Rajesh aims to have all the farmers in his region adopt the Pusa decomposer and other new technologies. He plans to further improve the quality of his products and reach international markets.

Rajesh Saini’s story is a testament to how the right approach, hard work and use of modern technologies can benefit farming and the environment. His hard work and innovation not only increased his crop productivity but also became a source of inspiration for other farmers.

His journey teaches that innovation in farming and environmental protection can pave the way for the future.