In 2021, we were called to a barren plot on the outskirts of Jaipur. It had been chemically farmed for years, and the new owner — a young woman who had inherited the land — wanted to “make it green again.” She said, “I want to farm, but not like the old way. I want to build something that heals.”
That’s what regenerative farming does. It doesn’t just grow crops — it repairs the soil, restores biodiversity, and revives the land.
If you want to start a regenerative farm in India, here are 10 clear steps to begin — with or without prior farming experience.
Step 1: Observe Your Land
– Walk the land morning and evening for 7–10 days.
– Watch water movement after rain.
– Look at native grasses, soil type, existing trees, termite presence.
Your land will reveal more in silence than any lab report.
Step 2: Stop All Chemicals Immediately
No pesticides, no urea, no fungicides.
Let the land breathe. The microbial life needs a clean slate.
Step 3: Begin Organic Matter Input
Start adding:
– Well-decomposed compost
– Cow dung + urine (from local sources)
– Dry leaf mulch
This builds soil structure and invites microbial life back.
Step 4: Use Microbial Inoculants
Apply jeevamrut, compost tea, or a microbial consortium.
This step is crucial — microbes drive nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and soil recovery.
Step 5: Keep the Soil Covered
Bare soil = erosion and microbial death.
Use:
– Straw mulch
– Green manure crops (like moong or mustard)
– Cover crops like cowpea, methi, or sunhemp
Step 6: Introduce Polyculture Slowly
Start with:
– 2 leafy vegetables
– 1 legume
– 1 root crop
Avoid monocropping. Even a small diversity improves soil biology and insect balance.
Step 7: Make Water Management a Priority
– Observe your water runoff and stagnation points.
– Add swales, trenches, or percolation pits where needed.
– Use drip or basin irrigation to reduce waste.
Step 8: No Deep Tillage
Use shallow tools. Leave roots to decompose.
Tilling breaks fungal networks and microbial channels.
Step 9: Encourage Wildlife
– Leave wild edges.
– Allow beneficial insects and birds to return.
– Don’t clean “too much.” Life comes when there’s space.
Step 10: Document Everything
Maintain a simple farm diary:
– What you applied
– Rainfall
– Plant growth
– Problems observed
It helps you understand your land’s natural rhythm.
Komal’s Note
Regenerative farming is not a 1-year project. It’s a 3–5 year journey.
The Jaipur land we visited is now rich with earthworms, has stable aggregates, and supports native bees — without any outside fertilizer.
If you follow the steps above — patiently and consistently — your farm can do the same.
