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The farmer grows high-value Japanese Miyazaki mangoes, worth up to Rs 2 lakh per kilogram. His farm also cultivates vegetables like jowar, millet, brinjal, tomato, tindora, and ladyfinger, along with chiku, dragon fruit, and black turmeric
Upon retirement, Gamanbhai Vasava devoted himself to farming, starting with household grain production and later expanding to other trees and crops. (Local18)
Gamanbhai Vasava, a farmer from the remote Vasia village in the Sanjeli taluka of Dahod district, Gujarat, has been dedicated to natural farming since 2010.
Initially a teacher, Gamanbhai shifted his focus to farming after retirement. His efforts have been recognised with the “Best Aatma Farmer Award” in 2009 and again in 2013-14.
On his farm, Gamanbhai grows a wide variety of trees and medicinal plants, including Sarpagandha, Ashwagandha, Kariatu, Laxmanphal, Arjun, Ramphal, Panfuti, Shatavari, Ajwain, Sariva, Kapoor, Brahmi, Dahiman, Nagod, Khair, Parijat, Madhunashini, Jamun, Taj, Ashok, Lahsunvel, Do Patti Lata, Gaj Peepar, and Rudraksh.
He also has around 300 mango trees and over 1,000 sandalwood trees, with one red sandalwood and the rest white sandalwood. Additionally, his farm features over 100 teak trees, more than 150 neem trees, and species such as pine and conifer, typically found in Himalayan forests.
Gamanbhai has successfully cultivated the high-value Japanese Miyazaki variety of mangoes, which can fetch up to Rs 2 lakh per kilogram. His farm also produces a range of vegetables like jowar, millet, white brinjal, tomato, tindora, parwal, gonda, ladyfinger, and carrot. He grows other plants such as chiku, dragon fruit, Ashoka, black turmeric, and wild ginger.
To optimise water usage, Gamanbhai employs a special drip irrigation system powered by solar energy. Solar systems also provide electricity and water for his farm. Reflecting on his career, Gamanbhai initially worked with Bhil Seva Mandal and served in various ashramshalas before becoming a government teacher in his village school under the Gujarat Board.
Upon retirement, he devoted himself to farming, starting with household grain production and later expanding to other trees and crops.
Over the past 30 years, he has cultivated numerous trees, including sandalwood, teak, mango, and conifers. Using natural farming methods, Gamanbhai earns Rs 1.25 lakh per bigha and has once earned Rs 16 lakhs from selling 15 sandalwood trees. The market price for one kilogram of white sandalwood exceeds Rs 450. He advises fellow farmers to plant sandalwood trees on barren and marginal lands to secure future financial benefits.
Gamanbhai highlights the differences between natural and chemical farming, asserting that natural farming yields visible benefits with proper care. He maintains four cows and three calves, which provide the necessary manure and pure milk for his natural farming practices.
- Location :
Gujarat, India, India
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