JAIPUR: Hukumchand Patidar, a Class 10 dropout from Jhalawar, is preparing courses on organic farming for agricultural universities in the country.
Patidar, a farmer from Manpura village, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018 for his contribution in promoting organic farming. The following year, in 2019, he was awarded the civilian award by President Ram Nath Kovind for his knowledge in organic farming.
He is part of the national committee working on the curriculum under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Agriculture. From the coming session, there will be courses on this subject in agriculture universities that follow ICAR rules. The state has four agricultural universities – the most in the country. The task assigned to the committee was to prepare the syllabus from class XI to PhD level.
The members of the committee include eminent scientists, academicians and the only expert who does not have any formal degree is Patidar.
“As of now, agricultural universities run courses like BSc, MSc and PhD in horticulture and agriculture. This is the first time, the course ‘Prakriti Evam Govansh Palan Krishi’ (natural and cow dung related agriculture) will be started in schools, colleges and universities,” Patidar said.
He has expertise in organic farming and his farm produces seeds of oranges, pulses, onions, coriander and fennel which are exported to Europe.
“Over the years, I have taken several measures on agricultural land that have increased the amount of carbon in the land. The resulting effect is that the land has become conducive to the growth of microorganisms and insects which are essential for increasing the value of the soil. Patidar said, proper use of ‘Panchagavya’ (five elements extracted from cows) adds nutrients to the soil to make the crop healthy. He is also credited for declaring his village as a chemical free agricultural zone by encouraging 150 farmers to adopt traditional means of farming. He has been advising the agricultural universities and departments of the state on this subject.
He may not be an academic in terms of modern education, but credits ancient texts and manuscripts with starting the traditional agricultural revolution. “I will reveal how ancient texts have helped me in the field of traditional farming in the meeting with the committee members,” Patidar said.
Of the 14 members of the committee, two more are Rajasthan Rajasthan Arun Sharma, scientist at Central Arid Zone Research Institute and Ratan Lal Daga, academician from Jodhpur. The committee will submit its report in two months and the courses are likely to be started from the coming academic session.
Patidar, a farmer from Manpura village, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018 for his contribution in promoting organic farming. The following year, in 2019, he was awarded the civilian award by President Ram Nath Kovind for his knowledge in organic farming.
He is part of the national committee working on the curriculum under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Agriculture. From the coming session, there will be courses on this subject in agriculture universities that follow ICAR rules. The state has four agricultural universities – the most in the country. The task assigned to the committee was to prepare the syllabus from class XI to PhD level.
The members of the committee include eminent scientists, academicians and the only expert who does not have any formal degree is Patidar.
“As of now, agricultural universities run courses like BSc, MSc and PhD in horticulture and agriculture. This is the first time, the course ‘Prakriti Evam Govansh Palan Krishi’ (natural and cow dung related agriculture) will be started in schools, colleges and universities,” Patidar said.
He has expertise in organic farming and his farm produces seeds of oranges, pulses, onions, coriander and fennel which are exported to Europe.
“Over the years, I have taken several measures on agricultural land that have increased the amount of carbon in the land. The resulting effect is that the land has become conducive to the growth of microorganisms and insects which are essential for increasing the value of the soil. Patidar said, proper use of ‘Panchagavya’ (five elements extracted from cows) adds nutrients to the soil to make the crop healthy. He is also credited for declaring his village as a chemical free agricultural zone by encouraging 150 farmers to adopt traditional means of farming. He has been advising the agricultural universities and departments of the state on this subject.
He may not be an academic in terms of modern education, but credits ancient texts and manuscripts with starting the traditional agricultural revolution. “I will reveal how ancient texts have helped me in the field of traditional farming in the meeting with the committee members,” Patidar said.
Of the 14 members of the committee, two more are Rajasthan Rajasthan Arun Sharma, scientist at Central Arid Zone Research Institute and Ratan Lal Daga, academician from Jodhpur. The committee will submit its report in two months and the courses are likely to be started from the coming academic session.
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