Jaipur: Dropping out of school and taking to farming is not a rare sight in the rural areas of the country. But dropping out at Class X to focus on farming and then being conferred with Padma Shri as a recognition is no mean a task.
Hukumchand Patidar left school at class X and worked all his life as a farmer in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar. The decision eventually paid off as he has now been slotted in the same committee with scientists and academics tasked to design the organic farming curriculum for agricultural universities across the country.
Patidar, who was conferred the Padma Shri for being instrumental in turning his native village of Manpura into a fully chemical-free farm patch, has been drafted in the national curriculum committee established by the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR).
His expertise in growing organic oranges, pulses, onion, coriander and fennel forced the ICAR to include him in the panel comprising scientists and academicians. The bulk of his farm produce is now being exported to Europe.
“Over the years, I have introduced several measures to enhance my farmland’s carbon cycle. The impact is that the land conditions have become more conducive to the growth of microorganisms and insects that are required to make the soil fertile,” Patidar was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“I always advocate using panchgavya, or the five elements derived from cows, to nourish the soil and make crops healthier,” Patidar said.
Patidar has a fair knowledge of organic farming and is currently working as a consultant to agricultural universities in Rajasthan. He is certain to add value to what his fellow committee members suggest should go into the ICAR curriculum.
“Only agriculture universities run courses like BSc, MSc and PhD in horticulture and agriculture. The module I am working on, natural and cowdung-related agriculture, will be introduced in schools, colleges and universities,” Patidar said.
“Whatever I know about traditional farming is from the ancient texts and manuscripts. I will share that with my colleagues in the panel,” said the only panel member without a degree. The committee is expected to submit its report in two months.
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