Sustainable Agriculture
Program Impact
2,220
Farmers Benefitted
5,450 Acres
Soil Health Improved with
Bio-Fertilisers
Up To 80%
Reduction in Chemical Fertilizer Use
40%
Increase in Farmer Income
Do you know? The agriculture sector is the largest employer in India, providing livelihoods to millions. Despite numerous challenges, our farmers manage to feed 1.4 billion people and export produce to many parts of the world.
But here are the challenges these Farmers’ face
Decline in Farmers’ Income
Between 2011-12 and 2015-16, farmers’ real income grew by just 0.44% per year, far below the goal to double incomes by 2022. Rising input costs, like for seeds and fertilizers, have eroded farmers’ profit margins significantly
Decline in Fertilizer Response Ratio
The fertilizer response ratio has dropped significantly, from 13.4 kg of grain per kg of fertilizer in the 1970s to about 4-5 kg by 2010, indicating reduced efficiency.
Impact of Chemical Inputs on Soil Health
Overuse of chemical fertilizers has degraded 30% of India’s soil, with organic carbon content and soil health deteriorating due to the lack of organic supplementation.
Our Solution
At GramHeet, we are on a mission to revolutionise farming through our innovative model of the Village Agro Ecological Resource Centre (VARC). Through VARC, we offer comprehensive sustainable farming services directly to farmers at the village level, where it matters the most.
We have developed small-scale manufacturing units to produce and supply bio-inputs using forest, agro, and cattle bio-waste, which are readily available to farmers. This will help farmers to bring down the current costs of cultivation and restoration of chemically degraded land. We provide customised advisory to the farmers for the easy adoption of sustainable farming practices.
In addition to our focus on production, we facilitate market linkages for sustainably grown produce, leveraging our robust traceability system that tracks each stage from seed to sale.
At GramHeet, we are on a mission to revolutionise farming through our innovative model of the Village Agro Ecological Resource Centre (VARC). Through VARC, we offer comprehensive sustainable farming services directly to farmers at the village level, where it matters the most.
We have developed small-scale manufacturing units to produce and supply bio-inputs using forest, agro, and cattle bio-waste, which are readily available to farmers. This will help farmers to bring down the current costs of cultivation and restoration of chemically degraded land. We provide customised advisory to the farmers for the easy adoption of sustainable farming practices.
In addition to our focus on production, we facilitate market linkages for sustainably grown produce, leveraging our robust traceability system that tracks each stage from seed to sale.
Program Interventions
Agro-ecological Farming
Affordable Bio-Inputs
Market Linkages for Sustainably-Grown Produce
Community Collaboration
This seamless integration ensures that we’re not just transforming agriculture; we’re cultivating a sustainable future for all.
Market Linkage for Sustainably Grown Produce
GramHeet through this initiative focuses on establishing strong market linkages for farmers who engage in sustainable farming practices. By connecting these farmers directly with consumers, retailers, and distributors, we aim to enhance the visibility and demand for sustainably grown produce. This initiative not only ensures fair prices for farmers but also promotes environmentally friendly agricultural practices, fostering a healthier ecosystem. Through training and support, we empower farmers to navigate the market effectively, enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods while contributing to food security and community well-being.
Our Products
Impact Story
For years, Ganesh Jadhav, a smallholder cotton and soybean farmer from Yavatmal, faced a crisis. His farm’s soil was losing its fertility due to years of chemical overuse, his cultivation costs were soaring—₹25,000 per acre—and erratic weather patterns made every harvest uncertain. Climate change had made farming riskier, and like thousands of others, he found himself trapped in a cycle of distress and debt.
Then, GramHeet’s Village Agro Ecological Resource Centre (VARC) arrived in his village, bringing a ray of hope. Through becoming a member of VARC, Ganesh replaced chemical fertilizers with locally produced bio-inputs, made from forest, agro, and cattle waste. These natural alternatives not only restored his soil’s health but also reduced his input costs by ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per acre—saving him nearly ₹50,000 per season across his five-acre farm.
With healthier soil came better yields. His cotton and soybean production increased by 30%, as the regenerated soil retained more moisture and nutrients. At the same time, by shifting away from synthetic chemicals, Ganesh reduced water contamination and improved biodiversity on his farm, making his land more resilient to climate change.
But the biggest breakthrough came at harvest. GramHeet’s market linkage platform connected him directly to health-conscious consumers, securing him a 20% higher price for his toxin-free produce. No longer at the mercy of middlemen, he secured the livelihood while protecting the environment.
