By taking decisive steps to secure a sustainable future, Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Rajasthan has become the first village body in the State to be certified as fully organic.
The panchayat, comprising seven hamlets in the newly formed Kotputli-Behror district, took measures not only to resolve issues of soil degradation and declining groundwater level but also to address health concerns linked to chemical-based farming.
All farming activities in Bamanwas Kankar are free of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers while animal husbandry practices follow ecological and health-conscious standards. “This integrated approach has ensured that agriculture, livestock management, and environmental protection will move forward together,” sarpanch Ganesh Jat said.
The move towards organic farming was initiated through collective discussions among villagers in the past year. Farmers had begun noticing declining soil fertility, rising input costs, and health issues associated with prolonged exposure to chemical inputs. Mr. Jat said these concerns gradually shifted the community’s mindset from focusing on short-term yields to achieving long-term sustainability. Organic farming practices include crop rotation and mulching while agricultural inputs are mainly vermicompost, organic soil conditioners, and traps for pest control.
