Manju Govind Gajera’s journey is a story of gradual transformation, from a homemaker with no prior farming experience to a committed advocate for sustainable agriculture in Gujarat. Today, she is part of the Gujarat Agriculture Core Committee, chaired by Governor Acharya Devvrat. Her involvement in farming and agricultural reform started with a genuine desire to help farmers adopt healthier, chemical-free practices and improve their livelihoods, ultimately leading her to play a key role in the state’s agricultural landscape.
Seed of Change
Farming was always a part of Manju’s family heritage, but she had never personally been involved in it. Her journey into agriculture began when she started supporting her husband, who had been trained in Natural Farming (NF). Witnessing the positive changes in soil health and quality through natural farming methods sparked a transformative shift in her life’s purpose. Inspired by the results, Manju started organizing training sessions to teach farmers about sustainable, chemical-free farming practices.
Spreading Knowledge and Building Trust
With a vision to empower more farmers, Manju initiated a large-scale Natural Farming training for 250 farmers. As she saw the impact of these efforts, she realized that she needed to reach even more farmers. This realization led her to enroll in the intensive NF Teacher Training Course at The Art of Living’s Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SSIAST).
The comprehensive training equipped her with in-depth knowledge about Sri Sri Natural Farming—a method that nurtures the land without chemicals, promoting soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity. She learned how multi-cropping, natural pest control, and the use of cow dung and urine as manure could enhance the farm’s sustainability and economic viability. These methods prioritize soil preservation by minimizing tilling, which safeguards the microbial life and overall structure of the soil.
Armed with this knowledge, Manju began to practice what she preached by starting her own kitchen garden. The thriving garden boosted her confidence and solidified her belief in the power of natural farming. She then expanded her outreach by traveling to villages and educating farmers about the economic, environmental, and sustainability benefits of the practice.
Addressing Farmers’ Challenges: Creating a Marketplace
During her travels, Manju identified three major challenges faced by farmers:
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Finding a market for their produce
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Gaining consumer trust
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Securing fair prices
Determined to address these issues, Manju founded Sri Sri Kissan Mall in 2019 in Gujarat. This initiative was designed to be a platform for empowering farmers, rather than a profit-driven venture. The mall sold a variety of products—from the Gajera family's groundnut oil and wheat to pulses, millets, brown sugar, and rock salt, all sourced from over 50 farmers trained in natural farming.
Today, Sri Sri Kissan Mall generates an average monthly revenue of over Rs. 30,000, offering farmers a direct, reliable market for their produce. Through this mall, farmers no longer have to struggle to find buyers or sell their goods at unfair prices.
Expanding Reach: The Online Marketplace
To further support farmers, Manju connected them to the Sri Sri Kissan Manch, an online platform where NF-trained farmers could directly sell their products to buyers. The platform also provided networking opportunities through conferences and offered certification from PGS India, all facilitated by SSIAST.
Manju is proud of the loyal customer base she has built over time, including conscious buyers such as doctors who appreciate the health benefits of natural, unadulterated products. Even The Art of Living’s Vasad Ashram sources its groundnut oil from Manju’s farm, recognizing the purity and quality of her produce.
Recognition and Leadership
Manju's tireless dedication to farmers and sustainable farming has not gone unnoticed. Her work earned her a position on the Gujarat Agriculture Core Committee, an honor she cherishes.
From a homemaker with no formal farming experience to a leading voice in agricultural reform, Manju’s journey exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose. She continues to serve as an inspiration to countless farmers and individuals dedicated to creating a more sustainable, equitable agricultural future.
