A Year Later: The Fruits of Natural Farming
When you step onto a farm a year after adopting the 36x36 Natural Farming Model, what stands out is not just crop growth but ecosystem balance. Soil looks richer, biodiversity improves, and crops begin to support each other in a self-sustaining cycle.
At Organic Mandya, this model introduced by Subhash Palekar has been running successfully on a 1.5-acre plot for over a year. The results show that Natural Farming is not only sustainable but also economically viable when executed with patience and ecological understanding.
Table of Contents
- A Year Later: The Fruits of Natural Farming
- The 36x36 Natural Farming Model Explained
- Fruitful Results After One Year
- Financial Stability and Labor Efficiency
- Key Lessons from the Field
- Nutritional Value of Key Crops
- Looking Ahead: The Next Two Years
- Why the 36x36 Natural Farming Model Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 36x36 Natural Farming Model Explained
The 36x36 Natural Farming Model is a structured agroforestry system where crops and trees are planted 36 feet apart, creating a multi-layered food ecosystem.
It integrates long-term fruit trees with short-term crops to ensure continuous income and soil regeneration.
Core Crop Structure
|
Crop Type |
Spacing |
Role in Ecosystem |
|
Mango & Drumstick |
36 ft × 36 ft |
Long-term yield, nitrogen balance |
|
Banana (intercrop) |
Between rows |
Biomass, moisture retention |
|
Tur Dal (Pigeon Pea) |
Seasonal crop |
Quick income, nitrogen fixation |
This design ensures soil is never left bare, improving fertility, water retention, and biodiversity.
Fruitful Results After One Year
After one full year of implementation, the farm has already shown strong early returns. A harvest of 100 kg of dry tur dal marked the first successful income cycle from the model.
While fruit trees are still in their growth phase, they are steadily developing into long-term income assets.
Yield Projection Overview
|
Crop |
Timeline |
Expected Yield |
Approx. Value |
|
Tur Dal |
6–8 months |
100 kg |
₹9,000 |
|
Mango |
2 years |
1 ton/acre |
₹60,000 |
|
Custard Apple |
2 years |
400 kg |
₹30,000 |
|
Pomegranate |
2 years |
600 kg |
₹50,000 |
This combination of short-term and long-term crops ensures continuous income flow while building soil health.
Financial Stability and Labor Efficiency
One of the most powerful outcomes of the 36x36 Natural Farming Model is economic sustainability with minimal labour input.
On the 1.5-acre farm:
- Only 2 labourers are required
- Monthly wage cost: ₹20,000
- Annual revenue: ₹1.2 lakh
This shows that even small-scale farmers can adopt natural farming without financial pressure.
The model reduces dependency on external inputs, making farming more predictable and cost-efficient.
Key Lessons from the Field
Intercropping Strengthens Ecosystems
Combining mango, drumstick, banana, and tur dal creates natural synergy. Trees provide shade, legumes fix nitrogen, and bananas improve moisture retention.
Patience Creates Higher Returns
Fruit trees take time, typically 2 years, but they generate stable, long-term income far beyond seasonal crops.
Sustainability Builds Stability
Within one year, the farm already shows improved soil fertility, better moisture retention, and reduced input dependency.
Nutritional Value of Key Crops
The 36x36 Natural Farming Model supports both ecological and nutritional security.
|
Crop |
Protein (g/100g) |
Fiber (g/100g) |
Key Vitamins |
Health Benefit |
|
Tur Dal |
22.3 |
15.6 |
B1, B2, Iron |
Energy & muscle strength |
|
Mango |
0.8 |
1.6 |
A, C, E |
Immunity boost |
|
Banana |
1.1 |
2.6 |
B6, Potassium |
Heart health |
|
Drumstick |
9.4 |
3.0 |
C, Calcium, Iron |
Bone strength |
|
Custard Apple |
1.7 |
2.4 |
C, Magnesium |
Energy support |
Each crop contributes both nutritional value and ecosystem stability.
Looking Ahead: The Next Two Years
The next phase of the 36x36 Natural Farming Model focuses on:
- Full fruit production from mango and custard apple trees
- Improved soil carbon and microbial activity
- Integration of livestock for manure recycling
- Expansion of biodiversity through additional intercrops
Within two years, the farm is expected to transition into a fully self-sustaining fruit-based ecosystem.
Farmers also plan to share this model with nearby communities to promote scalable natural farming adoption.
Why the 36x36 Natural Farming Model Matters
This model is more than an agricultural technique it is a shift in thinking.
It proves that:
- Farming can be profitable without chemicals
- Soil health drives long-term productivity
- Biodiversity reduces farming risks
- Small farms can be economically stable
The 36x36 Natural Farming Model bridges traditional wisdom with modern sustainability goals, making it highly relevant for future agriculture.
FAQs
1. What is the 36x36 Natural Farming Model?
It is a farming system developed by Subhash Palekar where crops and trees are planted 36 feet apart to promote biodiversity and soil health.
2. How much income can be earned in the first year?
Farmers typically earn from short-term crops like tur dal, while fruit income begins from year two.
3. Is this model suitable for small farmers?
Yes, it is highly suitable for small and medium farms due to low input requirements and steady returns.
4. What are the main benefits?
Improved soil fertility, reduced cost, diversified income, and long-term sustainability.
5. When do fruit trees start producing?
Most fruit trees begin yielding within 2 years, depending on soil and climate conditions.
