Soil Scientist's Transformation into Moringa Tycoon: Dr. Saravanan K.'s Odyssey from Soil Specialist to Organic Farming Pioneer
In the verdant fields of Somangottai village, Mulanur block, Tiruppur district, Dr. Saravanan K., a former academic turned organic farmer, is making waves in the agricultural sector with his innovative and sustainable farming practices. As a member of the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), Dr. Saravanan shares his journey, innovations, and lessons to mentor others towards sustainable and profitable organic farming.
Dr. Saravanan's farm, Pasunthamil Organic Farm, is a testament to his commitment to organic farming. Established in 2019, the farm specialises in organic moringa cultivation on certified lands, alongside growing papaya, coconut, and fodder crops to support his organic composting system.
The farm's success is evident in its financial performance, with an annual net income of Rs. 16 lakhs and a net profit of Rs. 12 lakhs. This profitability is achieved through Dr. Saravanan's market-oriented approach, shifting focus from drumstick production to leaf cultivation, which commands a higher export value and market demand.
Dr. Saravanan's farming methods embody the principles of organic farming. He integrates crop cultivation with livestock to create a closed-loop nutrient cycle, using organic inputs for soil fertility, and focusing on crops with sustainable market demand. His livestock, including four native cows and one North Indian breed cow, contribute manure for his compost, enhancing soil fertility naturally. The farm uses organic composting mechanisms, promoting soil health and reducing chemical input dependence.
In addition to moringa, Dr. Saravanan's other projects involve organic papaya cultivation with the Red Lady variety on multiple farms. He is also the technical mentor for a 100-acre cooperative moringa leaf cultivation venture around Chennai, mentoring six existing farmers with five more to join.
Dr. Saravanan's vision for the future includes scaling up cooperative organic farming, bringing more farmers onto moringa leaf production, and building stronger farm-to-global market value chains. He has partnered with a nutraceutical firm on a buyback arrangement with a fair price and sustainable demand.
Dr. Saravanan's achievements have been recognised with the Progressive Moringa Farmer Award from the International Moringa Research Organization in 2021 and the AgriPreneur Award from Isha Foundation in 2023. Prior to his farming career, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow and assistant professor at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture.
For those interested in cultivating organic fodder crops, such as sorghum, napier grass, or legumes, standard organic farming practices include selecting high-quality, disease-free seed material, preparing soil with organic compost and manure, avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring adequate irrigation and weed control through mechanical or organic methods, and integrating livestock manure and biofertilizers to enhance soil microbial activity and nutrient cycling.
Dr. Saravanan's model exemplifies combining scientific expertise in soil health with practical organic farming to optimise fodder crop production sustainably. His journey serves as an inspiration for many, demonstrating that sustainable farming can indeed be profitable and contribute positively to the environment.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/organic-farmer-dr-saravanan-k-embraces-sustainable-fodder-cultivation-and-market-oriented-moringa-farming/article36960768.ece [3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346206331_Organic_nutrient_management_in_field_crop_production_A_review
- As a successful entrepreneur in the realm of organic farming, Dr. Saravanan K. utilizes innovative practices to ensure both financial success and sustainability in his business.
- Having received accolades for his work, Dr. Saravanan K. has demonstrated that one can run a profitable business while maintaining environmentally friendly practices in areas like organic moringa cultivation.
