Pruthvi Patel, a progressive farmer from Surat, Gujarat, was once a successful software engineer and lecturer with a stable, high-paying job. In 2010, she decided to leave her corporate career and pursue a life closer to nature. Today, she advocates for natural farming, focusing on improving her own land and encouraging other farmers to adopt sustainable and healthy farming practices. Pruthvi reflects, “I come from a family where my father, although a retired IAS officer, was always deeply connected to farming. Growing up, I never thought much about farming – our farmhouse was more of a vacation spot.”
Life-Changing Setback Leads to a New Path
Little did she know that an emotional setback in 2010 would change her life forever. “I had dreamed of joining the civil services my entire life, dedicating myself to the rigorous preparation year after year. But despite my relentless efforts, I didn’t clear the exam. That left me feeling devastated and lost,” she shares.
To help her heal, Pruthvi’s family sent her to their family farm. “Initially, I saw it as an escape, but as the days passed, something shifted. Surrounded by animals, plants, and the simple rhythm of farm life, I rediscovered a love for the land.”
A New Passion for Farming
The more she worked with the earth, the more she realized her true passion wasn’t in the pursuit of civil services but in farming, animals, and nature. “It was there, on the farm, that I found my purpose — to nurture, cultivate, and live in harmony with the land, a vision long cherished by my Guru for every farmer in India,” Pruthvi shares.
Pruthvi had been associated with The Art of Living for a very long time, always inspired by the teachings of the spiritual master and global humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living. Gurudev has worked tirelessly to bring economic and holistic relief to farmers, training over 30 lakh of them in natural farming. This farming approach is healthy for both the farmer and consumer, helps the earth recover from the onslaught of chemicals, improves its health quality, and entails nearly zero input costs.
A Shift Toward Natural Farming
In 2010, Pruthvi got an opportunity to organize and attend the Panch Mahabhut Kisan Sammelan in Gujarat, an event organized by The Art of Living’s Sri Sri Institute of Agriculture Science & Technology Trust. “There, I first heard about natural farming from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I was inspired by his vision and started working to promote natural farming techniques,” she recalls.
Determined to deepen her knowledge, Pruthvi attended an Agriculture Teacher Training Course (TTC) at the Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SSIAST). She also spent time in a gaushala (cow shelter) to understand the vital role of cattle in organic farming. Without any formal training in agriculture but with grassroots-level experiences fueling her resolve, she began building the foundation for her farm. The lessons of patience, resilience, and interconnectedness she learned on the farm became the guiding beacons of her newfound path.
By 2014, she had completely committed to this new way of life, managing a 25-acre farm in Navsari that thrives without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Her farm employs a mixed cropping system, blending horticulture and agriculture in a chemical-free approach that focuses on nature’s processes.
Overcoming Challenges: Transitioning to Natural Farming
However, Pruthvi’s journey was far from easy. The transition to chemical-free farming required unlearning conventional chemical-dependent practices. She didn’t rely on synthetic inputs, which was met with skepticism, especially from her father, who had been farming for decades using traditional techniques that weren’t the healthiest or profitable in the long run. Local farmers also questioned how natural farming could be the path toward sustainable profits. Restoring the soil, which had completely deteriorated due to the aggressive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, was one of the biggest challenges.
Reviving the Soil Health
Pruthvi revived the soil using a combination of cow dung manure, compost, and mulching techniques. Over time, the land healed, productivity improved, and her farm’s success proved the impact of these methods. “Our goal wasn’t commercial gain but self-sufficiency—eliminating the need for chemicals or costly fertilizers. This saved us nearly Rs5 lakhs annually on our 25-acre farm by adopting natural methods and raising cows. It was a significant cost reduction enabled by low-budget practices like improving soil health rather than investing in expensive technologies,” Pruthvi revealed with satisfaction.
Training Laborers and Gaining Support
Another key challenge was training local laborers who were unfamiliar with natural farming. Finding workers willing to adapt consistently, even without supervision, took time and effort. Slowly, witnessing her commitment and dedication to natural farming, her family came around to support her. Some older farmers, however, continued to resist change, with some being judgmental, while others doubted the success of these methods. But the results spoke for themselves.
Understanding Natural Farming Techniques
Pruthvi Patel explains that natural farming is a sustainable, chemical-free integrated farming approach that uses natural resources for thriving. This agricultural method relies on multi-cropping, cow dung and urine-based manure, natural pesticides, cropping according to the natural cropping seasons of the region, and water conservation—while avoiding practices like plowing or tilling that disrupt soil health in terms of microbial life, structure, and composition. Techniques like direct seeding and minimal tillage are used to maintain soil health.
Improving Soil Health and Yield
“Since adopting natural farming, our soil quality has improved significantly—the Carbon to Nitrogen ratio of my land is now 1.6, which is ideal for farming. It took three years of consistently applying natural farming methods to achieve this. We've seen healthier crops, better yields, fewer pests, and a thriving local ecosystem with increased biodiversity. I started small with horticulture and saw real transformation after introducing desi cows to the farm. That was a turning point, and there’s been no looking back since!” she explains.
Innovative Pest Management Through Natural Methods
Pruthvi elaborates that natural farming relies on nature to manage pests and diseases. A key solution is cow urine from desi cows, known for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. Just as it has medicinal benefits, it also aids in pest control. Additionally, herbal formulations like neem leaves, scientifically proven for pest management, are prepared and applied systematically to protect crops from insects and fungal infections.
She further emphasizes that natural farming is crucial for sustainability, as it preserves soil health, reduces chemical dependency, and promotes biodiversity. There has been a growing awareness among farmers about the long-term risks of chemical farming, leading many to adopt natural methods for better yields, healthier crops, and a sustainable future.
Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Change
One of the most fulfilling aspects of Pruthvi’s journey has been the impact she has had on other farmers. She now conducts workshops and field demonstrations, sharing her experiences and mentoring those who wish to adopt chemical-free practices. Collaborating with the Sri Sri Agriculture Science & Technology Trust, she has introduced thousands of farmers to natural farming, creating a ripple effect across Gujarat.
Vision for the Future
Her vision for the future of agriculture in India is clear—she dreams of a future where traditional wisdom and modern innovations come together to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and ensure food security. She envisions young people, especially women, taking up farming as a respected and viable profession. To make this dream a reality, she advocates for stronger policy support, farmer education programs, and better market linkages for natural produce.
