One Year of the 36x36 Natural Farming Model: Fruits Harvest, Tur Dal Success, and a Sustainable Future

A Year Later: The Fruits of Natural Farming

When you look at a thriving natural farm a year after planting, what you see isn’t just crops; it’s balance. The 36x36 model, introduced by Subhash Palekar, is more than a layout. It’s a way of thinking about agriculture that connects soil, water, and biodiversity in one living system.

At Organic Mandya, this model has been running for over a year now, showing that Natural Farming can be productive, profitable, and deeply rewarding. The transformation on this 1.5-acre land speaks for itself, from dry tur dal harvests to flourishing mango and custard apple saplings.

As one farmer aptly said, “You can earn from nature without harming her; that’s real progress.”

The 36x36 Model Explained

The 36x36 model is based on the idea of creating a multi-layered food forest where crops, fruit trees, and legumes grow together symbiotically. Each plant supports the other either by fixing nitrogen, providing shade, or enriching the soil with organic matter.

Crop Type	Spacing	Benefit
Mango & Drumstick	36 ft x 36 ft	Long-term fruit yield, nitrogen fixation
Banana (Intercrop)	Between main crops	Adds biomass, moisture retention
Tur Dal (Pigeon Pea)	Seasonal intercrop	Adds nitrogen, quick returns

This setup ensures that the soil never stays bare, water is retained efficiently, and biodiversity thrives a cornerstone of Natural Farming.

 

Fruitful Results After One Year

After one year of implementation, the model has already started showing tangible results. The farm yielded 100 kilograms of dry tur dal, marking a successful harvest season. The intercropping technique of combining drumstick, mango, banana, and tur dal has not only stabilised the ecosystem but also made the farm more climate-resilient.

The ongoing goal is to transition from legume-based crops to fruit-based income in the coming years. Mango, pomegranate, custard apple, and banana plants are growing steadily, with full fruiting expected in two years.

Crop	Harvest Time	Expected Yield	Market Value (Approx.)
Tur Dal	6–8 months	100 kg	Rs. 9,000
Mango	2 years	1 ton per acre	Rs. 60,000
Custard Apple	2 years	400 kg	Rs. 30,000
Pomegranate	2 years	600 kg	Rs. 50,000

These results highlight how the 36x36 model blends short-term crops for immediate income with long-term fruit harvests for future sustainability.

 

Financial Stability and Labor Efficiency

The most remarkable outcome of this experiment has been economic balance. With just two labourers managing the entire 1.5-acre plot, the total monthly salary is Rs. 20,000. Despite the modest scale, the farm earned Rs. 1.2 lakh in a year, indicating that the project has already reached its break-even point.

This means farmers can pursue part-time natural farming without financial risk, using their land productively and ethically.

“You don’t need more chemicals to earn more; you need smarter soil.”

 

Lessons from the Field

1. Intercropping Works
   Pairing fruit trees with legumes not only stabilises the soil but also provides shade and natural pest resistance.
   
   
2. Patience Pays Off
   The mango and custard apple trees may take two years to fruit, but the long-term returns far outweigh quick-yield chemical farming.
   
   
3. Sustainability = Stability
   The 36x36 model has reached self-sustaining status within a year. Water usage, soil fertility, and crop diversity are all improving organically.
   
   

 

Nutritional Value of Key Crops

Crop	Protein (g per 100g)	Fiber (g per 100g)	Vitamin Content	Benefit
Tur Dal	22.3	15.6	B1, B2, Iron	Muscle health, energy
Mango	0.8	1.6	A, C, E	Immunity, digestion
Banana	1.1	2.6	B6, Potassium	Heart health
Drumstick	9.4	3.0	C, Calcium, Iron	Strengthens bones
Custard Apple	1.7	2.4	C, Magnesium	Boosts energy

These crops don’t just sustain income; they sustain life. Every plant in this model adds value both nutritionally and ecologically.

Looking Ahead: The Next Two Years

The next phase of this model will focus on fruit yield expansion, soil enrichment, and integrating livestock for manure and biowaste management. Within two years, the mango and custard apple trees are expected to bear fruit, creating a fully self-sufficient farm ecosystem.

Farmers at Organic Mandya plan to share these insights with local communities, inspiring small-scale growers to adopt Natural Farming models that require less input and yield long-term rewards.

“Nature doesn’t rush, yet everything gets done.”

 

Conclusion

The Subhash Palekar 36x36 model is proving that Natural Farming isn’t a distant dream; it’s a working reality. From fruit harvests to financial growth, this approach merges tradition with innovation, all while healing the soil.

Organic Mandya’s experience after a year makes one thing clear: when you give back to nature, she gives back more than you expect.

 

FAQs

1. What is the 36x36 model in natural farming?
   It’s a farming layout designed by Subhash Palekar where trees and crops are planted 36 feet apart, promoting intercropping and soil health.
2. How much yield can farmers expect in the first year?
   Most early returns come from short-term crops like tur dal, with fruit trees yielding from the second year onwards.
3. Is the 36x36 model suitable for small farmers?
   Yes, it’s ideal for small and medium farms, as it requires minimal input and offers steady long-term returns.
4. What are the main benefits of this model?
   It improves soil fertility, reduces costs, enhances biodiversity, and ensures sustainable income.
5. When will fruit trees start yielding?
   Within 2 years, depending on crop type and local conditions.