•Bhikhu Ram from Bandhapali village, Korba, Chhattisgarh, transformed his barren land into fertile fields through determination and innovative natural farming.
•He improved soil texture with a light drum digger and restored nutrients using organic fertilizers like kitchen compost and cow dung, increasing water retention.
•Now cultivates paddy in the rainy season and groundnuts in summer, earning an annual profit of 1.5 to 2 lakh rupees.
•NABARD provided crucial support, training, and technical advice, especially on chemical-free crop production methods.
•His success inspires other Korba farmers to adopt mixed cropping and ecological improvement, promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.
