Story of Heritage of Conservation Farming by Raghupat Singh

79-year-old Raghupat Singh, who lives in Samthal, a small village in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh, is an inspiration for Indian agriculture. As a farmer, he has been conserving and improving seeds for more than 50 years. His tireless efforts have won him several national and state level awards.

Seed Conservation and Development of New Varieties

Raghupat Singh brought about a revolution in the agriculture sector by combining traditional farming methods with scientific thinking. He not only conserved 32 varieties of kidney beans, ridge gourd, cowpea, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, and other native species, but also developed their improved varieties. His developed species of bottle gourd, which is 1.5 meters long, has proved to be a unique and profitable discovery for farmers.

His quest did not stop here. He developed a special technique to preserve traditional seeds, in which the seeds can be preserved for a long time by drying them and mixing them with the ash of cow dung cakes. This technique proved to be especially helpful for small farmers who do not have expensive storage facilities.

Apart from this, Raghupat also encouraged new methods of seed purification, which not only increased the quality of the crop but also improved crop production. At the time of sowing the crop, he scientifically verified the sowing of seeds on the days of Shukla Paksha, which reduced the infestation of pests and improved the crop yield.

Due to these innovations, he explained the importance of advanced farming to the local farmers and motivated them to adopt these varieties. The result of his efforts was that these improved varieties not only increased the income of the farmers but also prepared them to compete in the market. These contributions of his have been appreciated at the national and international level, and he has set a new example in the field of seed conservation.

Innovations of conservation

Raghupat Singh has developed a unique and economical method in the field of seed conservation. He dries the seeds and mixes them with cow dung cake ash, which preserves the seeds for a longer period and also maintains their quality. This technique has freed small and marginal farmers from the need for expensive storage options. The Indian Vegetable Research Institute, Varanasi, honoured him with a gold medal in 2016 for this contribution. His method has become an inspiration and a practical solution for many farmers today.

Honours and Awards

Raghupat Singh has been honoured with many awards for his services and innovations:

Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Puraskar (2018, 2019)

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Atyodaya Krishi Puraskar (2017)

N.G. Ranga Puraskar (2019)

• Gold Medal, Indian Vegetable Research Institute, Varanasi (2016)

• Krishi Pandit title, Department of Agriculture, Moradabad (1995)

These honours have brought recognition to his hard work and dedication across the country.

New methods for crops

Raghupat Singh went beyond the limits of traditional farming and adopted innovative techniques. His proven methods include crop sowing time and seed treatment methods.

He said:

“I observed that sowing crops in Shukla Paksha reduces pest infestation by 40%. This is only a result of learning from experience.”

Step towards protected farming

Under protected farming, Raghupat Singh successfully tested new varieties on his 1-5 acre land. His methods became an inspiration for other farmers.

Benefit of government schemes

Although he has not taken direct benefit of any government scheme so far, his methods and innovations have been a source of inspiration for government institutions. Agricultural scientists study his work and try to make his methods reach the farmers.

Inspiration to the farmer community

Raghupat Singh, through his experience and research, not only upgraded his farming but also inspired the surrounding farmers to adopt new techniques. He regularly conducts workshops with farmers, where they are taught traditional and scientific methods of seed preservation, organic manure, and pest control. He believes that providing the right knowledge and tools to farmers is essential to make them self-reliant. Due to his efforts, many farmers in the region are now increasing their income by adopting his methods and innovating in agriculture.

Conversation Summary

When we asked him about his experience and inspiration, he said:

“Farming is not just a means of livelihood, it is our heritage. If we do not protect the seeds and traditions, nothing will be left for the coming generations.”

Future plans

Raghupat Singh dreams of making his methods reach even more farmers. He wants his experience to be shared through agricultural universities and government institutions.

Conclusion

Raghupat Singh’s story is of a farmer who not only made farming his means of livelihood but also saw it as a mission. His hard work and innovations have proved that despite limited resources, if determination and knowledge are used properly, even the impossible can be made possible.