Bhaskar and Lakshmi are organic farmers from Metalkunta village in Medak district in Telengana. They grow Bansi variety of wheat in a chemical free way. Listen to his story in his own words.
Bhaskar is a tailor who turned to organic farming 5 years ago. He and his wife Lakshmi grow wheat, dals and vegetables in their 11 acres of farm, in Metalkunta village near Zaheerabad, Telangana.
His farm is entirely rainfed. He uses mulch and rain water harvesting methods to maximise water conservation. There are many organic farmers in the region. As a result, the fertility of the soil is very high, and the groundwater levels are very healthy. A naturally fertile soil has a large capacity to retain moisture. This is not the case in regions that use chemical farming methods. In these regions the soil becomes rock hard and does not have any water retention capacity. Any water poured on it is only washed away, and does not get absorbed.