Sangeeta Badre is Maharashtra’s leading organic farmer and inspirational leader

Sangeeta Raju Badre, a resident and Upsarpanch of Shirajgaon Korde village in Amravati district of Maharashtra, has set an example in organic farming and social leadership. Born in 1981, Sangeeta not only strengthened her financial condition through organic farming on her 20+ acres of land, but also showed a new direction to other farmers and villagers. Her efforts and success earned her prestigious awards like the state-level Rajiv Gandhi Krishi Ratna Award and district-level Capt. Vasantrao Naik Award in 2023.

Beginnings and Inspiration: Community Service with Farming

Sangita says,

“I come from a farmer family, and farming is an integral part of our lives. I realized that farming is not just a means of livelihood, but it can be made more effective by upgrading it with organic methods and techniques.”

Along with farming, her role as Upsarpanch also kept her active in social work. Solving village problems and empowering women have been her main objectives.

Organic Farming Techniques

Sangita’s main focus is organic farming. She started organic farming of oranges, wheat, soybean, and other crops.

Features of her farming:

1. Orange farming:

•Increased production by taking two bahars (Ambia Bahar and Mrig Bahar) in a year.

•Grown soybean, wheat, toor and gram as intercrops with orange.

2. Use of organic manure:

•Use of cow dung manure at home.

•Use of Jeevamrit and Dashparni extract.

3. Harvesting equipment:

•Use of customized gloves and equipment made at home, which made soybean harvesting easy.

4. Vegetable and spice farming:

•Organic farming of turmeric, aparajita, and green vegetables.

Sangeeta’s efforts have not only increased the fertility of the land but also reduced the production cost.

Additional Activities: Agro-based Business

Apart from farming, Sangeeta also tried her hand at agro-based businesses.

Her major business activities:

1.Grain and Spices Processing:

•Preparing flour and gram flour from soybean.

•Preparing turmeric powder and spices from turmeric.

2.Organic Garden:

•Developed an organic garden at home, where various fruits and vegetables are grown.

3.Employment to Rural Women:

•Provided employment to women by giving them work in glove making and processing units.

Challenges and their Solutions

Sangita faced many challenges in the field of organic farming and rural development.

Main Challenges:

1.Lack of technical knowledge:

•Attended many training programs to learn the techniques of modern farming and processing.

2. Women’s Participation:

•Trained rural women to empower them.

3.Market Problem:

•Created a network to sell her products by connecting directly to the market.

Economic and Community Impact

Sangita’s farming and business model has not only helped in increasing her income but has also had a positive impact on her village and surrounding areas.

Key Impacts:

•Economic growth:

•Her annual income is between Rs 11-20 lakh.

•Employment generation:

•More than 50 rural women and men have got employment from her business.

•Inspiration in the community:

•Her efforts have attracted many farmers towards organic farming and processing.

Benefits of government schemes and awards

Although Sangeeta has not yet directly benefited from any government scheme, her work has received appreciation from the government and agricultural organizations.

Awards received:

1. State level Rajiv Gandhi Krishi Ratna Award (2023).

2. District level Capt. Vasantrao Naik Award.

3. Honor for organic farming by Dainik Bhaskar.

Government initiatives:

Government schemes like PM-Kisan Yojana and Organic Farming Mission can be useful to provide technical training and marketing platform to farmers like Sangeeta.

Future plans

Sangeeta wants to take her success to greater heights.

Her major plans:

1. Establishment of crop processing unit.

2. Taking products to the international market.

3. Establishment of a training center for rural women.

Sangeeta says,

“My effort is to make rural women self-reliant and not consider farming as a male domain only.”

Sangeeta Badre: An inspiration

The life and work of Sangeeta Badre is not just the story of a successful farmer, but it is an example of how women can bring social and economic change in rural areas.

Her success mantra:

1. Hard work and patience.

2. Balance of technology and tradition.

3. Contribution to community development.

Sangita Badre’s story is a testament to the fact that organic farming and community participation can not only lead to individual success but also bring about widespread change in society. Her hard work and dedication is an inspiration for generations to come.

As Sangeeta says,

“Farming is not just for profit, but also for society and the environment.”