In Khandkhudai village near Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, small farmers Bhaiyalal and Pooja Pal have transformed their approach to agriculture after years of struggling with unpredictable rainfall, declining soil fertility and rising fertilizer costs.
Like many farming families, the couple depended heavily on chemical fertilizers, but increasing input costs and repeated crop losses made farming less reliable. At times, they were unable to cultivate part of their land because they could not afford the required inputs.
Their shift began when Pooja joined a women farmers’ group discussion on reducing farming costs while protecting the land. Through the group, the family learned about training opportunities at a Farmer Field School and Bio-Resource Centre supported by the Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP and funded by the Global Environment Facility.
The training introduced them to organic and nature-based farming methods. They started with a small nutrition garden on half an acre of land and learned to prepare natural inputs such as Jeevamrut to improve soil health and Neemastra to manage pests without relying heavily on chemicals.
Although the results were not immediate, the family continued experimenting with the new practices. Over time, their vegetables became healthier, soil quality improved and input costs began to fall. Encouraged by the progress, they adopted multi-layer farming using bamboo structures and ropes to grow climbing vegetables above leafy vegetables and spices.
Water scarcity remained a major challenge after the family’s well dried up. To address this, they cleaned and deepened the well over five days, increasing its storage capacity. The restored water source allowed them to grow vegetables for longer periods and reduced their dependence on uncertain rainfall.
During the Kharif season, Bhaiyalal used both training and traditional knowledge to choose soybean after forecasts predicted heavy rainfall. The crop performed well despite damage in many nearby fields, showing how informed crop choices and organic inputs can help farmers manage climate-related risks.
As productivity improved, the family began selling fresh, local and chemical-free vegetables in nearby markets. Within a few months, they earned around Rs. 8,000 from vegetable sales while also improving their own access to healthier food.
Their success has encouraged other farmers in the village to explore similar methods. Neighbours have started visiting their farm to learn about organic inputs, soil improvement, water management and multi-layer farming.
The story of Bhaiyalal and Pooja shows how small decisions, community learning and nature-based farming practices can improve livelihoods, reduce costs and build resilience for farming families facing climate and economic pressures.
