Dr. Pradeep Bhimrao Pol’s life mission has evolved from healing animals as a veterinary doctor to healing the very earth beneath his feet. Committed to reviving degraded soils, Dr. Pol has embraced natural farming, a method that nourishes the land while reversing the harm caused by years of chemical usage. His transformative journey began in 2010 after attending the Art of Living’s Sri Sri Natural Farming program. This experience gave him a renewed perspective on life, highlighting the importance of aligning with nature’s rhythms.
A Shift to Chemical-Free Farming
Dr. Pol's shift to chemical-free farming has not only restored the health of his soil but also significantly improved his livelihood. Previously, his mango orchards, managed with chemical fertilizers, generated Rs1.5 lakh annually, but the high costs of inputs left him with marginal profits. Today, his 500 Kesar mango trees, cultivated entirely using natural methods, yield Rs 3 lakh annually, demonstrating the tangible benefits of sustainable agriculture.
Restoring Soil Health and Boosting Income
This journey highlights the economic and ecological advantages of returning to nature-driven farming practices. He uses three types of homemade bio-fertilizers to improve his farm: Jivamrut, a natural liquid fertilizer made by mixing water, cow dung, cow urine, and mud; Dashparni Kadha, a fermented mixture of water, cow urine, dung, and plant materials like neem, turmeric, and chili, stirred daily for 30-40 days; and Gomutra, applied directly to the soil through a drip irrigation system.
Within two years, he doubled his land’s productivity, cut input costs to nearly zero, and significantly increased his earnings. His naturally ripened mangoes now sell at premium prices of Rs 100-150 per kilogram directly to customers, compared to the market rate of Rs 60-70.
Expanding Beyond Mangoes: Crop Diversification
He shares his Natural Farming videos on social media, builds trust, and expands his customer base. Dr. Pol has also diversified his farm to include crops like sorghum, pearl millet, wheat, and chickpeas, which he consumes at home while selling surplus produce at a premium.
Additionally, on the nearby half-acre farm, he has planted fruit trees like tamarind, guava, papaya, and coconut, providing him with fresh fruits around the year. His holistic approach has enriched his farm’s offerings and strengthened the community’s interest in sustainable practices.
Promoting Indigenous Practices: A2 Milk and Pure Water
Aligned with his commitment to natural farming, Dr Pol also promotes the use of A2 milk from Indigenous cows like the Khillari breed, which many villagers have now embraced. This shift to natural methods has transformed his farm and even improved the quality of water in a nearby borewell, now free from chemical traces, a testament to the harmony restored to the land.
Empowering Farmers through Workshops
Now, under Art of Living’s Sri Sri Agriculture Trust, Dr. Pradeep conducts workshops to share his methods, encouraging farmers to embrace natural farming. His journey shows how small-scale farmers can achieve financial security, health, and sustainability without chemicals. This is not just a personal success, but a call to empower communities to thrive through natural farming.
