NRI returns to promote organic farming

Parveen Arora

Vikram Chahal (38) returned from Canada in July 2016 to promote organic farming and protect the soil in his native place in Karnal from the harmful effects of chemicals being used by farmers. He has adopted agriculture based on ‘desi’ (indigenous) cow and is an example for other farmers to follow.

Chahal, an M. Tech in electronics, started research-based agriculture on five acres at Subhri village in Karnal district. He is using manure called ‘Jiwamrita’ (culture of micro-organism) made from cow dung and cow urine to rejuvenate the soil, the fertility of which has reduced due to the prolonged use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. He wants to revive the traditional method of agriculture (organic farming) by making it more remunerative.

“I am using ‘Jiwamrita’, which is a form of manure; a mixture of water, cow dung, urine, jaggery, 'chana' flour and soil. It enriches the fertility of the soil. It also helps in multiplication of earthworms that help in many ways,” says Chahal, a resident of Raipur Jatan village.

Chahal has been educating and encouraging farmers of nearby villages to shift to organic farming. He is hopeful that soon farmers will switch to organic farming and the district will witness an organic revolution. The initiative will also end the excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides.

“I am spreading awareness among farmers to stop using chemical fertilisers and adopt organic farming. It will increase long-term soil fertility, biodiversity and ecological balance in the agricultural system,” he says.

“After completing M. Tech from Thapar University, Patiala, I got a job in a steel company in Karnataka in 2005. However, I left the job after two years and joined a USA-based company in Delhi. After one year, I started teaching in an engineering college. I got the permanent residency of Canada and moved there in December 2010,” he adds.

“I started transport business in Canada and during my five-year stay there I realised the importance of my own country and returned to Karnal in July 2016 and started agriculture,” says Chahal.

He adds that a visit to a shop selling pesticides and fertilisers changed his mind and he switched to organic farming. “One day, I went to a shop to purchase pesticide for vegetables, but was shocked to see chemicals used in it. I collected the details of the harms the pesticide has on human health. My views about chemicals changed and I decided to shun the use of pesticide in agriculture,” he says.

“I took up organic farming and started cultivating paddy, wheat, vegetables and pulses. But later I faced the challenge of marketing the produce, as I did not get a good price in the vegetable market. So, I decided to bridge the gap between consumers and producers. I opened a showroom of organic vegetables and other products at Model Town in Karnal city,” he adds.

“I have not made much profit in the short span of my journey, but my aim is to promote chemical-free agriculture. It will take the soil some time to turn fertile which has been contaminated due to the use of chemicals," says Chahal.