A strong supporter of sustainable agriculture, Manju Govind Gajera supports farmers with her Sri Sri Kissan Mall, which brings in over Rs. 30,000 a month. With an emphasis on environmentally friendly, chemical-free practices, she advocates for the natural cultivation of crops such as pulses, wheat, millets, and groundnuts.
The journey of Manju Govind Gajera, who started out as a homemaker with little farming experience before becoming a devoted supporter of sustainable agriculture in Gujarat, is one of slow change. The Gujarat Agriculture Core Committee, which is led by Governor Acharya Devvrat, includes her today. Her sincere desire to assist farmers in implementing healthier, chemical-free practices and enhancing their standard of living led her to become involved in farming and agricultural reform, eventually becoming a significant figure in the state’s agricultural scene.
The first sign of change
Manju’s family had always been farmers, but she had never worked on a farm herself. Supporting her spouse, who had received Natural Farming (NF) training, marked the beginning of her agricultural career. Her life’s purpose underwent a radical change as she saw the beneficial improvements in soil health and quality brought about by natural farming practices. Motivated by the outcomes, Manju began planning training workshops to instruct farmers in chemical-free, sustainable farming methods.
Spreading Knowledge and Building Trust
With a vision to empower more farmers, Manju initiated a large-scale Natural Farming training for 250 farmers. As she saw the impact of these efforts, she realized that she needed to reach even more farmers. This realization led her to enroll in the intensive NF Teacher Training Course at The Art of Living’s Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SSIAST).
The comprehensive training equipped her with in-depth knowledge about Sri Sri Natural Farming—a method that nurtures the land without chemicals, promoting soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity. She learned how multi-cropping, natural pest control, and the use of cow dung and urine as manure could enhance the farm’s sustainability and economic viability. These methods prioritize soil preservation by minimizing tilling, which safeguards the microbial life and overall structure of the soil.
Armed with this knowledge, Manju began to practice what she preached by starting her own kitchen garden. The thriving garden boosted her confidence and solidified her belief in the power of natural farming. She then expanded her outreach by traveling to villages and educating farmers about the economic, environmental, and sustainability benefits of the practice.
Addressing Farmers’ Challenges: Creating a Marketplace
During her travels, Manju identified three major challenges faced by farmers:
Determined to address these issues, Manju founded Sri Sri Kissan Mall in 2019 in Gujarat. This initiative was designed to be a platform for empowering farmers, rather than a profit-driven venture. The mall sold a variety of products—from the Gajera family’s groundnut oil and wheat to pulses, millets, brown sugar, and rock salt, all sourced from over 50 farmers trained in natural farming.
Today, Sri Sri Kissan Mall generates an average monthly revenue of over Rs. 30,000, offering farmers a direct, reliable market for their produce. Through this mall, farmers no longer have to struggle to find buyers or sell their goods at unfair prices.
Expanding Reach: The Online Marketplace
To further support farmers, Manju connected them to the Sri Sri Kissan Manch, an online platform where NF-trained farmers could directly sell their products to buyers. The platform also provided networking opportunities through conferences and offered certification from PGS India, all facilitated by SSIAST.
Manju is proud of the loyal customer base she has built over time, including conscious buyers such as doctors who appreciate the health benefits of natural, unadulterated products. Even The Art of Living’s Vasad Ashram sources its groundnut oil from Manju’s farm, recognizing the purity and quality of her produce.
Recognition and Leadership
Manju’s tireless dedication to farmers and sustainable farming has not gone unnoticed. Her work earned her a position on the Gujarat Agriculture Core Committee, an honor she cherishes.
From a homemaker with no formal farming experience to a leading voice in agricultural reform, Manju’s journey exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose. She continues to serve as an inspiration to countless farmers and individuals dedicated to creating a more sustainable, equitable agricultural future.
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