It takes one man to lead the way and the rest follow, says an old saying. Here is the story of a progressive farmer who took to chemical-free farming by embracing organic farming and employing integrated farming techniaues. The story unfols in Budha Gaw village, Hariyawan block of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, where a remarkable transformation is taking place. Our protagonist is Mr Pawan Singh, a progressive farmer whose dedication to sustainable agriculture has not only enhanced his own farm but has also inspired an entire community.

A year ago, like many farmers in his village, Singh relied heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to cultivate his crops. However, rising costs and deteriorating soil health pushed him to explore alternative farming methods. His search for a sustainable solution led him to the Upjau Mati Pariyojana, an initiative of the DCM Shriram Foundation in partnership with FINISH Society. The program, which operates across 70 villages in the Hariyawan unit, aims to improve soil fertility and promote eco-friendly farm practices. With the guidance and training provided under this initiative, Pawan Singh embraced organic composting and integrated farming techniques, marking the beginning of his journey toward self-reliance and sustainability.

In August 2023, Mr. Singh set up his first composting unit. Using cow dung, crop residues, and agricultural waste, he began preparing organic compost and bio-based fertilizers. Over time, he mastered the techniques of green manure preparation, compost inoculation, and bio-pesticide formulation. By October 2024, he had successfully produced 10 metric tons of compost, which he applied to his sugarcane, wheat, and paddy fields. The impact was remarkable—his soil regained its fertility, water retention improved, and crop yield increased.

One of the most striking benefits of this shift was the financial relief it brought. By reducing his dependence on expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Mr. Singh saved approximately ₹40,000 over two years. Instead of spending on synthetic inputs, he reinvested these savings into his farm, further improving productivity and sustainability.

Mr. Singh’s success did not go unnoticed. Buoyed by his success,  farmers from neighboring villages began visiting his fields, curious to see the results firsthand. His farm became a living laboratory, demonstrating the benefits of composting, green manure, and organic solutions.

Recognizing the potential of collective change, he started sharing his knowledge through informal training sessions, motivating others to adopt sustainable practices. Today, his influence has led dozens of farmers in the region to start their own composting units, setting the foundation for a larger movement toward regenerative agriculture.

Mr. Pawan Singh’s journey is a testament to the power of sustainable agriculture. Through his dedication and innovation, he has not only improved his own farm’s productivity but has also inspired a community-wide shift toward eco-friendly farming. It may be emphasised that according to modern agri-scientists, soil and the human gut contain approximately the same number of active microorganisms, while human gut microbiome diversity is only 10% that of soil biodiversity and has decreased dramatically with  modern lifestyle. The idea behind this project was to  track relationships between the soil microbiome and the human intestinal microbiome. A novel environmental microbiome hypothesis was followed, which implies that a close linkage between the soil microbiome and the human intestinal microbiome has evolved during evolution and is still developing. From hunter-gatherers to an urbanized society, the human gut has lost alpha diversity.

In the meantime, the DCM Shriram Foundation and FINISH Society continue to support farmers like Mr. Singh, ensuring that sustainable farming practices reach more villages, more fields, and more lives. His story serves as a ray of hope, proving that with the right knowledge and perseverance, agriculture can be both profitable and environmentally responsible. After all, a hark back to nature and its bounty is the best way to follow time-tested and sustainable farm practices.