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Bhaskar Save practises a mix of organic and natural farming -- and makes astounding profits.
“I have seen many farms all over the world. This is the best. It is even better than my own farm,” declared Fukuoka, the renowned natural farmer, on his visit to Kalpavruksha. Started by Bhaskar Save, near village Dehri at the southern-most coastal tip of Gujarat, Kalpavruksha uses no fertilisers, pesticides, weeding or unnecessary tilling. Nature takes its own course and the results have been surprisingly bountiful: record-breaking profits close to 400 percent Before he began experimenting with organic farming four decades ago, Bhaskarbhai relied on the usual dose of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to boost output. Increase in the production costs by as much as 10 percent a year made him realise that this continued extra expense would in 10 years nullify his profits completely. So he reverted to the farming methods of his forefathers. Use of all synthetic and toxic chemical additives was discontinued. He began to practise a mix of organic and natural farming. Farm yields fell drastically to almost 50 percent in the first year but eventually stabilised. Though the yields were lower, earnings increased, because he spent nothing on chemical additives. When starting a new orchard plot, Bhaskarbhai simultaneously inter-plants alpa-jeevi (short life-span), madhya-jeevi (medium life-span) and deergha-jeevi (long life-span) species, thus rapidly shading all exposed soil. This provides ideal micro-climatic conditions for the rapid regeneration of the organic life of the soil, which then enables all-round healthy and fruitful growth. As the larger community of plants grows together, there is optimal utilisation of the moisture provided, while evaporation losses are greatly reduced under increasingly thick shade. Consequently, water-efficiency of the whole system is very high. Until the long life-span species (like chikoo, coconut, mango) begin to bear fruit, the farmer is still able to enjoy continuity of yield, first from the short life-span species (like various vegetables), and then from the medium life-span species (like banana, papaya, custard apple, etc.) Thus, even small farmers can afford to follow this approach. Bhaskarbhai, after evolving some low-cost and efficient water-use systems suitable to horticultural farming, is of the opinion that large quantities of water not only harm the root system of trees but damage plant health as well. He has pioneered the ‘trench and platform irrigation system of farming', an inexpensive method employing minimal water usage. He acquired this knowledge after keenly observing and studying forest systems. His model farm, one of the best organic farms within the country, attracts farmers and other visitors from all over the world. They come to marvel at a unique system that produces a rich bounty without the use of any synthetic fertilisers/pesticides and maintains the ecological balance. Contact: Bhaskar Save
Kalpavruksha Farm
At & Post Dehri, Coastal Highway
Taluka Umbergaon, Distrist Valsad
Gujarat 396170, India
Tel:91-26354-2126
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