Munish Sood
Sundernagar :
In the quiet village of Draman under the Dhanotu block of Sundernagar, a silent revolution is taking root—led by farmer Sarvan Kumar, who has transformed his life and community through natural farming. His journey from a traditional farmer to a self-reliant entrepreneur stands as a model for sustainable rural development in Himachal Pradesh.
Choosing the Path of Natural Farming
When Sarvan Kumar decided to switch to natural farming several years ago, the journey was far from easy. With little guidance and plenty of skepticism around him, he faced resistance from both fellow farmers and market forces. Yet, his conviction remained firm.
After attending a two-day training under the ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) project, he abandoned the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, he turned to indigenous cow dung and cow urine-based organic mixtures—reviving age-old, eco-friendly methods of cultivation.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Sarvan’s determination began yielding results once he connected with the State Project Implementation Unit under the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana and became part of the Sundernagar Naturals Farmer Producer Company.
Today, he not only serves as a director and manager at the Dhanotu-based Natural Farming Product Sales Centre, but also works as a master trainer under the ATMA project, helping fellow farmers transition toward self-reliance and sustainable income.
Innovation Beyond Farming
What makes Sarvan’s story exceptional is his spirit of innovation. Beyond cultivation, he has ventured into value addition—creating market-ready products from farm produce. From smokeless coal, an eco-friendly and affordable fuel alternative, to home-processed food items, Sarvan has shown that rural entrepreneurship can thrive with creativity and perseverance.
A Hub of Rural Prosperity
The Dhanotu sales centre now connects around 150 farmers, out of which more than 40 farmers earn direct economic benefits. Monthly sales have reached ₹60,000–70,000, offering a stable source of income for many rural households.
The centre’s shelves are lined with locally produced turmeric, pickles, millets, flour varieties, juices, amla candies, apple chips, apple cider vinegar, and other natural products. These items have not only gained popularity locally but are also reaching outlets at Nauni University, Namhol Kamdhenu, Delhi, and Dharamshala organic markets—eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
Transforming Lives and Communities
Natural farming has reduced production costs, preserved soil fertility, and promoted better health and environmental balance. Today, Sarvan Kumar personally produces nearly 50–60 products with the support of his family. His success has enabled him to fund his children’s higher education and inspire his entire community to dream bigger.
Acknowledging the Government’s Role
Sarvan Kumar credits his success to the progressive vision of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government, which is actively promoting natural and chemical-free farming across Himachal Pradesh.
“The government’s initiatives have shown us a path to true self-reliance,” says Sarvan. “Without these schemes, many of us would still be dependent on expensive fertilizers and uncertain markets.”
Voices from the Community
Supporting this sentiment, BRC Prakash Chand from Brikhmani Panchayat shared, “The Dhanotu sales centre has brought employment right to the farmers’ doorsteps. We are now training others to adopt natural composting and farming methods in our area too.”
A Model for Rural Transformation
Sarvan Kumar’s story is more than a tale of agricultural success—it’s a testament to how government schemes, when aligned with people’s passion and perseverance, can transform lives. From his small farm in Draman, a larger message echoes across Himachal Pradesh:
“True prosperity begins when we work with nature, not against it.”
