Waghpura, Gujarat – In a remarkable display of resilience and innovation, Urmilaben Jagdishbhai Parmar from Waghpura village has defied conventional agricultural wisdom by cultivating vegetables on land most deemed unfit for farming. Located along the sandy banks of the Mahi River, her once barren plot has now become a symbol of natural farming success, setting an inspiring precedent for rural India.
While many considered the region’s sandy soil unusable for agriculture, Urmilaben saw potential where others saw failure. Through sheer dedication, patience, and creative thinking, she enriched the land with organic manure, avoiding chemical fertilizers altogether. Her journey began by manually excavating and conditioning the soil, followed by the introduction of sustainable farming practices rooted in traditional methods.
Today, she grows high-demand vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd, cucumber, and ridge gourd. Her produce is sold in major urban markets like Vadodara and Nadiad, earning her a significant income that amounts to several lakhs annually.
Urmilaben’s efforts have been supported by financial assistance from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) and Community Investment Fund (CIF), which enabled her to purchase farming tools and implement scientific techniques for natural farming. The proximity to the Mahi River provides easy access to water, and her chemical-free farming approach yields fresh, nutritious vegetables that cater to health-conscious consumers.
Beyond the financial gains, Urmilaben’s work contributes to environmental preservation and promotes health awareness in her community. Her farm has not only transformed her family’s livelihood but also emerged as a beacon of hope and possibility for other rural farmers.
By proving that even river sand can yield prosperity with the right approach, Urmilaben has become more than just a successful woman farmer—she is now a role model for agricultural innovation and ecological responsibility. Her journey continues to inspire a growing number of farmers who seek sustainable and profitable alternatives to conventional farming.
