"A to Z Organic Vegetable, Grain, and Fruit Farming – Complete Guidance from Scratch"

 

🌿 Hello Everyone!

Today, we are going to talk about a very important and timely topic:
"Organic Vegetables, Grains, and Fruit Farming."

    We are all either farmers, learners, or people interested in agri-business.
But let us ask ourselves:

1. Is the food we produce truly healthy?

2. Will our soil remain fertile for the next generation?

3. Are we really getting both satisfaction and profit from our farming?

To find answers to these questions, today we will talk about organic farming.

🌱 What is Organic Farming?

    Organic farming is not just about avoiding chemicals .
It’s a mindset that connects with the soil, protects the consumer’s health, and stays in harmony with nature.

    In today’s age, the focus is on health, sustainable production, and environmental care.
Chemical-based farming has weakened the life force in our soil.
That’s why organic farming is the need of the hour.

    If we combine organic vegetables, grains, and fruits, we can create not just profits, but also build awareness about health and the environment in society.

We Will Explore:

1️⃣ Vegetables – A daily essential, which must be chemical-free.
2️⃣ Grains – Like Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi – our traditional foods.
3️⃣ Fruits – A long-term, high-profit component for the future.

So let’s walk through the A to Z journey of Organic Farming! 🌱

🌿 What Exactly is Organic Farming?

    Organic farming means growing crops using natural inputs instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Core principles include:

1. Use of organic manures (cow dung, vermicompost)

2. Natural pest control (neem extract, Dashparni ark, gomutra)

3. Improving soil organic carbon

4. Soil testing, crop rotation, and soil conservation practices

Also Read - PADMAN AJINKYA DHARIYA -PADCARE LABS

📌 What is Organic Vegetable Farming?

    Organic vegetable farming means growing vegetables naturally without using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds.

This method:

1. Preserves soil health

2. Produces nutritious food

3. Protects the environment

🌱 How to Choose Vegetable Crops?

    Crop selection depends on location, market demand, climate, and water availability.

    Popular Organic Vegetables by Season:

Season	Vegetables
Summer	Tomato, Okra, Chilli, Cluster Beans
Monsoon	Spinach, Fenugreek, Dill, Brinjal (Eggplant
Winter	Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrot, Beetroot

🌾 Organic Vegetable Farming Methods:

1. Soil Testing:

1. pH should be between 6–7

2. Organic Carbon (OC) should be ≥ 0.75%

2. Organic Fertilizers:

1. Vermicompost: 2–4 tons/acre

2. Farmyard manure: 5–10 tons/acre

3. Jeevamrut / Ghanjeevamrut / Panchagavya: Increase soil microbes

3. Seed Selection:

1. Use indigenous and local variety seeds

2. Locally adapted seeds are more profitable

3. Certified seeds under PGS / NPOP schemes are available

4. Water Management:

1. Drip irrigation for water saving and pest control

2. Mulching: Use dry leaves/grass to retain soil moisture

5. Pest and Disease Management (Natural):

1. Dashparni Ark: Extract of 10 plants – effective insecticide

2. Neem Extract: Controls aphids, thrips

3. Cow urine extract, Agniastra – effective against fungal diseases

4. Use handmade traps: Yellow sticky traps, pheromone traps.

🧠 Success Tips:

1. Grow 2–3 types of vegetables together – ensures daily sales

2. Focus on improving soil health continuously

3. Show your farming process to the public via Instagram/videos

4. Meet customers monthly to build trust

5. Build your own brand – name, logo, and packaging

                           

📌 What is Organic Grain Farming?

    Organic grain farming means cultivating grains naturally and traditionally without using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified (GM) seeds.

🌾 Types of Organic Grains:

Category	Popular Grains
Millets (Small Grains)	Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Ragi (Finger Millet), Kodo, Sawa, Varai, Kangni
Major Grains	Rice (Paddy), Wheat
Pulses	Chickpeas, Peas, Black Gram (Urad), Green Gram (Moong), Pigeon Peas (Toor)

🧬 Soil & Seeds:

1. Soil Testing:

1. pH: 6.0 to 7.5

2. Organic Carbon: ≥ 0.75%

3. Presence of beneficial microbes is essential

2. Seeds:

1. Use indigenous and organically preserved seeds

2. PGS or NPOP certified seeds ease certification process

3. Choose seeds based on climate and soil type

💧 Water Management:

1. Use drip irrigation to minimize water wastage

2. Mulching keeps the soil moist

3. Careful irrigation is needed – avoid overwatering (especially in dryland crops)

🌾 Crop Duration (e.g., Jowar, Bajra, Ragi):

Crop	Season	Duration
Jowar	Kharif / Rabi	100–120 days
Bajra	Kharif	80–100 days
Ragi	Kharif	90–110 days
Kodo / Sawa	Kharif / Winter	70–90 days

🧠 Tips for Success:

1. Practice intercropping with 2–3 types of grains at once

2. Spray a fermented solution of cow urine, dung, jaggery, and gram flour (Jeevamrut) 20 days before planting

3. Build a social media brand

4. Join Organic Farmer Groups

5. Send a monthly "Food Story" email to your customers twice a year

6. Run a “Farm Visit” campaign to build customer trust

📌 What is Organic Fruit Farming?

    Organic fruit farming means cultivating fruits using natural and traditional methods without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This type of farming maintains soil quality, protects the environment, and promotes good health.

🌳 Which Fruits Can Be Grown Organically?

Type	Fruits
Indigenous	Custard Apple, Guava, Jamun, Mango, Ber
Commercial	Pomegranate, Papaya, Banana, Sapota (Chikoo), Sweet Lime, Orange
Hilly Region	Amla, Karonda, Seedless Grapes
Dryland	Jujube, Fig, Dry Fruit Trees (Almonds, Walnuts in some areas)

Also Read- Nursery Business

🌱 Pre-Planting Preparation:

1. Soil Testing

   1. Ideal pH: 6.0 to 7.5

   2. Organic Carbon: ≥ 0.75% (Soil should be alive with microbes)

2. Pit Preparation / Raised Bed:

   1. For each plant: Dig a 2.5 x 2.5 ft pit

   2. Fill with: Cow dung manure + Vermicompost + Neem powder + Turmeric + Ash

3. Planting Season:

1. Monsoon: June–July

2. Pre-Summer: February–March

💧 Water Management:

1. Drip Irrigation is ideal for each tree.

2. Use mulching (dry leaves) around the plant to retain moisture.

3. In summer, use grass or coconut husk around the tree base to keep roots cool.

🌳 Time to Fruit Production/Time to First Yield

1. Papaya 6–8 months
2. Guava  10–12 months
3. Pomegranate 1.5–2 years
4. Mango 3–5 years
5. Jamun, Chikoo After 3 years
6. Custard Apple, Fig 1.5–2 years

🧠 Tips for Beginners:

1. Start with 3–4 mixed fruit trees (e.g., Papaya + Pomegranate + Guava)
2. Every 3 months, add organic fertilizers around the tree in a ring method.
3. Post regular updates on social media showing fruit growth.
4. Offer “Farm Visits” to customers.
5. Create branded gift packs of organic fruits (especially during festivals).
6. Start a nursery to sell organic fruit saplings.

🛒 Marketing and Branding:

1. Local Market + WhatsApp Groups

2. Launch “Organic Vegetable/Fruit Basket” schemes

3. Online Selling: Big Basket, JioMart, etc.

4. Branding Ideas: Gramshuddh, Gomata Farms, Shetichi Shapath

5. Educate customers: “Why Eat Organic?”

📜 Certifications:

Certificate	Purpose	Cost
PGS India	Domestic Sales	₹0 – ₹3,000
NPOP	Export & Big Brands	₹10,000+

💰 Estimated Profit (Per Acre):

Farming Type	Cost (₹)	Income (₹)
Vegetables	₹40,000	₹1,50,000+
Grains	₹25,000	₹70,000+
Fruit Orchard	₹60,000 (Year 1)	₹1,50,000+ (after 3 years)

Also read -Event Management Business

💰 Government Schemes for Organic Farming:

🏛 1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Item	Details
Objective	Promote organic farming via group farming
Subsidy	₹50,000 per farmer (for 3 years)
Uses	Organic inputs, Jeevamrut, Training, Marketing
Notes	Minimum 20 farmers in a group, free PGS India Certification, group branding possible

🌾 2. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP – APEDA)

Item	Details
Objective	Certification for domestic & export purposes
Crops	Mango, Pomegranate, Banana, Rice, Soybean, etc.
Agencies	APEDA, EcoCert, SGS

💧 3. Micro-Irrigation Scheme (PMKSY – Drip Subsidy)

           | Beneficiaries -All farmers |
           | Subsidy - 50% – 80% (varies by state) |
           | Purpose -For drip and sprinkler systems |

🧪 4. Soil Health Card Scheme

1. Free soil testing

2. Parameters: pH, carbon, nitrogen, organic content

3. Guides suitable crop and fertilizer selection

🪱 5. Vermicompost Unit Subsidy

Item	Details
Benefit	₹5,000 to ₹75,000 (depends on state)
Purpose	Setup of vermicompost production units
Requirement	Own land, cow dung, shaded area

🚜 6. Farm Mechanization Scheme

Equipment	Subsidy
Rotavator, Bed Makers	40–60%
Organic Spray Machines	Up to 50%
Tractor, Trolley	Higher subsidy for SC/ST

🧑‍🌾 7. Atal Bhujal Yojana / Jal Yukt Shivar

1. Focus on irrigation and water conservation

2. Helps increase productivity with less water

3. Implemented at district levels

🎯 Conclusion:

    Organic farming is the key to health, environmental sustainability, and economic independence.
    By combining vegetables, grains, and fruits, you can earn daily + seasonal + long-term income.
   "Start today  for your soil, your health, and future generations"

Also Read- CRED Success Story -Kunal Shah