Imagine a barren plot of land measuring ten acres in this summer heat, and then take your mind into a serene ‘kulagar’ that not only gives a rich source of income from its produce but also helps conserve the nature by restoring ecological equilibrium. Sanjay Anant Patil, an innovative Goan farmer, has not just imagined but has brought in superlative transformation.
Aged 58, Patil has been conferred with the coveted IARI –Innovative Farmer Award 2023 by the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) New Delhi for his outstanding contribution to ‘Natural Farming and zero-energy micro-irrigation system’.
A green revolutionary, a ‘one-man-army’, Patil’s passion and dedication has seen him master the techniques of water conservation and natural farming practices using ‘Jeevamrut’ produced from Indian breed cow dung. ICAR-CCARI, Goa, provided him with technical guidance and thus a lush green natural farm was born where a barren plot of land existed!
Goa’s natural treasures are personalities like Patil and their contribution to maintaining the original identity of the state as, ‘Bhangrale Goem’, is immense. He is a huge inspiration to small farmers in the state.
