Mansingh lives in Bankhedi of Narmadapuram. This is his birthplace and workplace. In 2 acres of land, he does the work of saving only indigenous seeds. He does agriculture in the remaining 17 acres of land. Why has he started a campaign to save indigenous seeds? Answering this question, he says that only if indigenous seeds are saved, the farmer will be saved. He also told the reason for saving indigenous seeds. Mansingh said that indigenous seeds do not require much fertilizer and water to grow. This variety is naturally stronger. It is also beneficial for health.
In December last year, Mansingh Gurjar was honored by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat. This honor was given in view of Mansingh’s remarkable work in the agriculture sector. Mansingh says that he was given an amount of 51 thousand rupees as a prize. Earlier in 2017, NITI Aayog had sent him to Pantnagar Agricultural University. Here he gave training to agricultural scientists.
How did you get the idea?
Mansingh says that the idea of saving indigenous seeds and natural farming came to him from the way of farming done by his forefathers. He remembers that he used to get a good harvest from the fields without much fertilizers and water. They didn’t even know about chemical fertilizers. There used to be only cow dung in the name of manure. When they used to do it then why can’t it be done now. Keeping this in mind, he took a step towards natural farming. He says that it took him many years to bring his fields back to their natural form. But, he did not give up. Mansingh says that with the continuous use of natural products, the effect of the fields comes back. After this the benefit is visible. He uses natural organic products like Waste De Composer, Jeevamrit, Neem Pani, Ghan Jeevamrit in his farms.
Mansingh Gurjar tells that today he does bumper farming. People are also surprised to see gourds of 7-7 feet and watermelons of 30-30 kg. They are getting disenchanted with hybrid varieties. He has again moved towards the country. Right now the hybrid varieties have captured the entire market. But, when more farmers grow indigenous fruits, vegetables and grains, the situation will surely change.
Indigenous species of grains and Sridhan that Mansingh has saved…
Name | number of varieties |
Rice | 230 |
Wheat | 160 |
Moong | 10 |
Arhar | 18 |
Kodo | 3 |
nugget | 2 |
samba (cocoon) | 2 |
ragi | 2 |
idol | 1 |
Mercara | 1 |
High tide | 2 |
Maize | 3 |
Millet | 2 |
varieties of vegetables
Name | number of species |
lowland | 16 |
Bottle gourd | 12 |
Desi Chilli | 27 |
Bitter gourd | 8 |
ladyfinger | 18 |
cucumber | 3 |
beans | 18 |
Fenugreek | 3 |
Eggplant | 18 |
Tomato | 15 |
Raddish | 2 |
Coriander | 3 |
spinach | 3 |
Cauliflower | 2 |
Papaya | 5 |
How big is Mansingh’s work?
Radheshyam Dixit, an expert on agricultural matters and convenor of the National Association of Cow Producers, says that it takes a long time of many decades to prepare any indigenous variety. If they are not promoted, they will become extinct. In this sense, the work of Mansingh Gurjar is commendable. The number of varieties that they have been able to save is a cakewalk for the big agricultural institutes. It is difficult to even realize the amount of work they have done with less resources and no government help. This can only be understood by those who will be connected to the agriculture sector by heart. The government spends lakhs and lakhs of rupees only for this work. Still he does not get the expected results. Mansingh’s work shows that the time ahead belongs to the farmers. They are going to drive the market.