Organic farming in the Sekhwati region.

Famous for Havelis and Mensions Sekhwati in Rajasthan is becoming famous for its organic food. Spread over 1,3784 sq km in Sekhwati comprising the districts of Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh, Sikar, Churu and portions of Mandawa and Nagaur. Nearly 15000 farmers in the region have opted organic farming which will cut over head costs and improve the quality of food.

The interesting fact is that the farmers are not only selling their products across the country but also supplying these organic spices and vegetables to the different havelis-turned tourist resorts in the region. More over this flourishing farming has encouraged the farmers to set up rural tourist resorts made of thatched huts and nature trails. This has really done a great help to the tourism department to to satisfy the increasing number of tourists. These resort provide a homely atmosphere along with pure food. The charge of these resorts between Rs.475 and Rs.500 for a night, depending on the kind of huts the tourist opt for.

Organic farming has shown a new light to this region. The farmers have been introduced to the foreign buyers through internet by the foundation which trained them. And this has really made their livelihood more sustainable. The head of Rural Research Foundation Kamal Morarka told that they realized that the cost of inputs was lower than conventional farming and the production was better so they encouraged the farmers to cultivate and sell organic products through a separate company - a Morarka retail outlet,"

The farmers are growing there organic summer vegetables like corn, brinjals, tomatoes, radish, cabbages, chillis, onions, carrots, gram, coriander, wheat, mustard, and different spices and bajra. They are also trying to increase the soil fertility for crops by using vermi-compost, cow urine, neem, leaf extracts of plants like okra, dhatura (native flowers) and asafoetida. Rural Research Foundation found that the farmers save up to 30 percent by growing their vegetables and grain organically. Every year new farmers are registering themselves for organic farming and since 6 years 30,000 farmers in Rajasthan have switched to organic farming. Simultaneously the tourism sector in that region is flourishing with pure platter.

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