The transformation of a small farmer into a model of sustainable agriculture reflects the true potential of integrated farming systems. This case study highlights the inspiring journey of Chauhan Gita Ben Ramsingh bhai from Mevli village in Savli Taluka, Vadodara District—a village where most families rely on agriculture or livestock for their livelihood.
Belonging to a marginal household with just one acre of upland, Gita Ben once struggled with low productivity, limited market access, and dependence on high-interest loans for cotton cultivation. Her lack of exposure to improved farming practices further restricted her income, making it difficult to support a family of five.
The turning point came when Deepak Foundation provided her with comprehensive training in organic and sustainable agriculture. Equipped with tools like mini solar insect traps and pheromone traps, she diversified her farm to include gal-gota (marigold), brinjal, groundnut, chilli, and other crops—shifting from single-crop dependency to a vibrant integrated farming model.
Through her SHG, Akshar Sakhi Mandal, she also strengthened record-keeping, savings habits, and community leadership. With better farming skills and market connections, her income rose significantly reaching ₹80,000 last season, with expectations of over ₹1 lakh in the current cycle. Despite initial challenges such as pest pressure and hesitation toward organic inputs, Gita Ben remained persistent. Today, she is fully committed to non-chemical farming and plans to further expand her land use, explore floriculture, and seek improved irrigation support.
Gita Ben’s success demonstrates that integrated farming is not only environmentally sound but also economically rewarding. Her journey stands as a motivating example for other farmers in Mevli who now look toward sustainable, diversified agriculture as a path to prosperity.