At Vanya Organic, we are dedicated to restoring nature and revitalizing the soil on our farms in Khalghat, located along the serene banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. Over the past decade, we have embraced simple, time-tested practices that have transformed an arid stretch of land into one of the most fertile regions in the country.
Vanya Organic is a true labor of love, shaped by 12 years of unwavering effort and singular focus. Our philosophy is deeply inspired by the visionaries of natural farming: Masanobu Fukuoka, the pioneer of no-till farming from Japan, and Bhaskar Save, the natural farming luminary from Gujarat.
Of our 40-acre expanse, 20 acres are a thriving food forest in progress, while the remaining land is already richly forested. Tens of thousands of trees populate this ecosystem, creating a unique, multi-layered canopy with biodiversity at its core. Among these are over 400 majestic Mango trees, 5,000 Drumstick trees, and 5,000 Citrus varieties, including Rangpur Lime, Mausambi, Kaffir Lime, Grapefruit, and Kagzi Lemon. Additionally, there are 7,000 Papaya, 5,000 Subabool, and 500 Neem trees.
We’ve also planted thousands of others, including perennial Arhar, Amla, Amrood, Kathal, Ber, Pink Pepper, Jamun, Banana, Babool, Glyricidia, Teak, Phalsa, Sharifa, Bel, Wisdom Tree, Swarn Champa, Khajoor, and Coconut. The understory brims with thousands of plants such as Ginger, Turmeric, Aloe Vera, and millions of slips of Khas Grass (Vetiver).
Our multi-layered approach to planting carefully integrates locally adapted, or “desi,” species. For instance, Moringa (Drumstick) trees, with their delicate leaves, allow sunlight to filter through to the lower layers. This harmonious diversity generates an abundance of biomass, enriching the soil and supporting countless microorganisms, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and larger animal and bird species. The filtered sunlight gently nourishes this thriving ecosystem, ensuring that the living organisms feeding on decaying plant matter are protected from harsh conditions.
Crucially, we exclude all man-made chemicals from our farming practices. At Vanya, we do not rely on cattle manure or popular organic pest repellents. Instead, the diverse and abundant biomass from our trees provides sufficient nourishment for the soil.
We trust in the philosophy that healthy soil fosters healthy plant life. And if a few fruits or leaves are shared with insects, we let them live – they, too, are part of this interconnected ecosystem.