BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 20th November 2025: Natural farming has emerged as a new beacon of hope across rural Tripura, offering farmers a sustainable, chemical-free path to cultivation. By replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides with locally available resources such as cow dung, cow urine, and other organic materials, this method is reducing production costs while improving soil health. In several villages of Sepahijala district, farmers embracing natural farming are achieving remarkable success. Champamura, a small village in the district, stands out as a powerful example of how this method is transforming lives, ensuring financial stability, and fostering environmental sustainability.
Natural farming avoids external chemical inputs and instead relies on traditional and locally sourced materials. Tribal farmers of the region have long practiced similar methods, but with modern training and scientific planning, natural farming is now proving to be a revolutionary agricultural model for the entire state.
In Champamura, farmers such as Biswajit Natta and Manik Laskar began experimenting with natural farming on one kani of land under the guidance of the Agriculture Department in 2025. Using cow dung, cow urine, jeevamrit, and homemade organic pesticides, they cultivated paddy and a variety of vegetables. Within the first seven months, they observed significant improvements: the taste and freshness of the produce increased, pest attacks reduced due to weekly applications of organic inputs, and trap crops like marigold and mustard strengthened the ecosystem. Their organic produce quickly gained customer appreciation in local markets. Inspired by this success, nearly 232 households in the village have now adopted natural farming, cultivating ginger, bottle gourd, leafy vegetables, peas, and masoor dal under a community-based natural farming initiative.
Other farmers like Babul Natta and Shibu Shil have also adopted mixed cropping and natural methods on their one-kani plots, growing pulses, millets, flowers, and vegetables. By applying jeevamrit and using dried leaves for mulching, they significantly improved soil fertility and achieved higher yields with reduced water usage. According to agriculture sakhi Archana Natta, natural farming has drastically reduced her cultivation costs, and the enhanced flavor of her produce has made it highly sought after in local markets. She now collaborates with women’s self-help groups to train other farmers.
The benefits of natural farming extend well beyond cost reduction. Organic fertilizers such as ganajeevamrit and dravajeevamrit enrich soil microbes and earthworm activity, keeping the soil healthy and fertile. This method also reduces water consumption by nearly half, making it especially suitable for water-scarce areas. By encouraging mixed cropping, natural farming helps farmers grow multiple crops on the same plot, leading to diversified income sources and reduced market risks. Farmers in Champamura are now cultivating paddy alongside millets, pulses, and vegetables, experiencing both economic and ecological gains.
Government agencies and community groups have played a crucial role in promoting natural farming. Self-help groups and agricultural experts regularly train farmers in preparing organic fertilizers and pesticides such as jeevamrit and neem extracts. The Tripura government, under the State Natural Farming Scheme, is providing subsidies and structured training to expand this movement. Farmers hold regular meetings to share experiences, while increasing demand for organic produce in local markets ensures better prices for their harvests. Despite the success, challenges remain. Transitioning from chemical-intensive farming to natural methods may take two to three years, testing the patience of some farmers. Limited access to dedicated markets for natural produce also poses difficulties. However, government initiatives and local NGOs are working to address these issues by establishing certification systems and direct market linkages. Continuous workshops and training programmes are helping bridge the knowledge gap, further motivating farmers to adopt this eco-friendly approach.
