SUCCESS STORY
S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala
In an era where most young graduates chase urban jobs and multinational careers, Shakti Dev from village Diktoo, Panchayat Jhiol, Block Dharamshala, chose a different path—one that led him back to his roots. A double-stream Polytechnic engineering graduate, Shakti worked in the private sector for several years before making a life-changing decision in 2012: to leave his job and return to his ancestral farmland.
“Perhaps it was the scent of my soil, the love of my parents, and the desire to create something meaningful with my own hands that pulled me back,” he reflects.
From Chemical to Natural Farming: A Transformative Shift
Initially, Shakti followed conventional chemical farming practices, continuing the legacy of his father’s mango and lychee orchards. But the high input costs and low returns left him dissatisfied. In 2015, he began exploring organic farming, and a one-month training at Nauni Agricultural University in 2018 became a turning point. Embracing natural methods like Jeevamrit, Ghana Jeevamrit, Dashparni Ark, and Agniastra, he received support from the ATMA and Agriculture Departments, including a grant for indigenous cows to strengthen his farm’s foundation.
Sustainable Farming and Steady Growth
Natural farming transformed his land. Costs dropped, soil fertility improved, and crop quality soared. Marketing, once a challenge, became streamlined through direct connections with select families. Today, his farm is self-sustaining, producing diverse crops year-round. He’s also ventured into floriculture and nursery development, with lychee orchards and cattle rearing as integral components. His monthly income from agricultural activities ranges between ₹30,000 to ₹40,000.
A Voice for Change
Shakti isn’t just cultivating crops—he’s cultivating awareness. He actively educates neighboring farmers about the benefits of natural farming, emphasizing its importance for environmental health and future generations.
Eco-Friendly Innovations
Adopting zero-tillage techniques, Shakti sows seeds directly into the soil, preserving moisture and enhancing germination. He uses Jeevamrit—made from cow dung and urine—as a nutrient-rich starter, effective for up to six months. For pest control, he prepares Dashparni Ark using ten types of bitter leaves and indigenous cow by-products, applying it in a 1:10 water ratio. These methods reduce costs, enrich soil biodiversity, and maintain ecological balance.
He advocates for traditional seeds over modified ones, believing that natural farming keeps soil alive and yields superior produce. “Though I studied engineering, the joy and fulfillment of growing something on my own land is unmatched. That’s true happiness,” he says.
Shakti Dev’s story is a testament to how determination and love for the land can turn farming into a dignified, impactful profession—benefiting not just the farmer, but the planet.
