In the sun-soaked fields of Latehar district, transformation is taking root with farmers who once resisted natural farming now leading the charge towards an eco-friendly future. Pandu Singh of Lalgadi village was one such sceptic. Project staff at VEDIC Society introduced him to Amrit Pani, an organic pest repellent, but Pandu initially dismissed the idea, arguing for synthetic inputs as the only path to productivity. Yet, a small demonstration plot cultivated with organic methods sparked a profound shift. The robust yield and fresh, vibrant vegetables from the demo convinced Pandu; he realized that solutions to common vegetable complaints like premature rot lay with natural practices rather than chemicals.
Today, he is a chief exponent of organic farming in his community, a trained ToT Master Trainer, and an organiser of village meetings where he demonstrates techniques and distributes homemade organic pest repellents, passionately advocating against chemical fertilizer use for the sake of the environment and public health.
Meanwhile, seeds of progress were sown in Sukri village through the vision of Maini Devi and the Gulab SHG. Recognizing the resilience and value of indigenous crops, Maini began conserving local paddy and vegetable varieties and sharing seeds with farmers in Baridih, Jaram, and Manjor. Her greatest achievement was the promotion of Mandua (finger millet), a traditional grain perfectly suited to the local soil.
Over the past two years, Maini’s seed-sharing initiative has fostered sustainable cycles across several villages, empowering communities to achieve high yields without resorting to chemical fertilizers or costly inputs. This has made cultivation inexpensive, environmentally sound, and sustainable. Maini’s seeds have become seeds of development, heralding positive change through collective community efforts.
Baridih village has its own pioneer: Dhurva Kumar Prajapati, widely acclaimed as the best vegetable grower in the area. On his modest 32 decimal plot, Dhurva adopted organic farming early on, building his own vermi compost pit with support from VEDIC Society and taking part in multiple training sessions. His vegetables, grown with compost and organic manure, are favourites both in his village and the local weekly market, earning him a steady ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 weekly. Dhurva’s adaptive spirit and training in seed, soil, and pest management have solidified his reputation as an innovator, inspiring others to follow his organic journey.
Women’s groups are now at the forefront of this change. The Suraj Mukhi SHG at Lalgarhi village, formed in 2015, exemplifies collective progress. These women maximized limited resources to boost vegetable production, aided by regular knowledge sharing and an irrigation pump provided by VEDIC Society. With cluster planting and smart investments, they reaped 2,500 kg paddy last year and earned around ₹11,000 from vegetables alone. Through goat rearing activities, their annual incomes surged by over ₹30,000, a testament to the value of group efforts and organic techniques.
At the helm of women-led action is Talo Devi, President of Suraj Mukhi SHG and local Krishi Mitra. Despite limited land, she has cultivated diverse vegetables and generated ₹1,000 through sales, with a current crop value of ₹20,000. Having benefited from VEDIC’s training and exposure visits, Talo has ensured continuous education for her children, finding purpose and happiness in development driven by sustainable farming.
These stories showcase how small experiments, often overlooked, can spark lasting transformations. Where once chemical-based agriculture reigned, empowered farmers now embrace organic practices, ensuring steady livelihoods, safe crops, and a healthier environment for the next generation.