Subhash Sharma, a natural farmer from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal region, is among the unsung heroes who has been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award this year. The agricultural practices initiated by him is helping farmers of this drought-prone region. This is the first Padma award to a person hailing from the Yavatmal District.
Natural farmer Subhash Sharma pioneers sustainable farming in Yavatmal
In a remarkable tribute to sustainable agriculture, Subhash Khetulal Sharma, a 73-year-old farmer from Yavatmal district, has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Bharatiya Government for his pioneering work in natural farming — a first for his district which is historically known for distressing rates of farmer suicides.
Subhash Sharma’s agricultural experiments have been visited by many experts and dignitaries from Bharat and abroad, including Bharat Ratna Dr. Swaminathan (the father of the Green Revolution), P. D. Mishra (Additional Secretary to the Bharatiya Government), NABARD Chairman Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Maharashtra Agriculture Secretary Sudhir Goyal, social activist Anna Hazare, Former RSS General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, the then Joint General Secretary Bhagayya, the American Ambassador Asadak K, and Claude Alvares of the Indian Organic Association.
Subhash Sharma has received several prestigious honours for his extraordinary work. This includes the Krishi Bhushan award from the Maharashtra Government, the Smart Shetkari award from Agrovan, and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Seva award conferred by Deendayal Seva Pratishthan.
How Subhash’s methods is helping farmers in the district
Subhash Sharma hails from a farming family and has been tilling his land, located in Yavatmal’s Tiwasa, since the 1970s. He underwent a dramatic transformation in his approach to agriculture which revolutionized agricultural practices in the region. In 1994, noticing declining yields and deteriorating soil health due to chemical inputs, he chose to abandon conventional farming methods that depended excessively on chemicals and embrace natural farming. His philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that agriculture should work in harmony with nature, not against it.
By the year 2000, Subhash’s commitment bore fruit as his farm’s output increased significantly from about 50 tonnes to 400 tonnes, while input costs plummeted. He explains that natural farming is about restoring balance and nurturing the land rather than exploiting it.
His farming approach is guided by a set of deeply interlinked principles that place sustainability at the core. He prioritizes soil and earth conservation while relying on indigenous seeds that are naturally adapted to local conditions. Careful and strategic crop planning allows him to maintain production throughout the year, ensuring both food security and steady income.
Labour is managed efficiently in a way that supports rather than disturbing the ecological balance of the farm. Land use is thoughtfully allocated to integrate animal husbandry, water harvesting structures, and tree cover into the farming system. Through these practices, he conserves nearly one crore litres of rainwater every year and recharges close to six crore litres of groundwater on a small portion of his land. This gains importance in the drought-prone region. Also, this is an accomplishment that is estimated to deliver societal benefits exceeding ₹120 crore.
It won’t be wrong to call his 20-acre farm a research laboratory for chemical-free natural farming. Even in his 70s, Subhash works on his farm till late in the evening. His dedication to his land and community is both appreciable and one that should be emulated. He is also an instructor, researcher, and President of Deendayal Prabodhini run by Deendayal Seva Pratishthan. He has also given lectures in several agricultural universities.
Subhash Sharma’s 20-acre farm near Darwha has evolved into a living laboratory for sustainable agriculture and now serves as a training ground for other farmers who are keen to shift to natural methods from chemical agricultural methods. He uses only natural ingredients such as cow dung, cow urine, and other natural items as fertilizers. Chemical fertilizer, pesticide and genetically modified foreign seeds are not used in his farm.
His system emphasizes soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, and self-sufficiency. Subhash also stresses that a successful farmer should engage in four key activities: rearing cattle, planting trees, supporting bird movement, and optimally using biomass; thereby creating resilient and productive agro-ecosystems.
Subhash’s work has garnered national recognition not only through the Padma Shri but also with praise from leaders and agriculturists. Dr Vijay Darda, Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Lokmat Media Group, lauded Subhash’s efforts as a promising path for farmers and highlighted his commitment to making farming profitable through chemical-free methods.
Subhash Sharma’s farm has become a beacon of hope and attracts thousands of farmers who have visited to learn sustainable practices. His training and outreach have helped spread chemical-free natural farming across regions, offering an alternative to distress-driven agricultural cycles and helping tackle the root causes of farmer distress.
For Subhash, the Padma Shri is not just an honour but rather a call to action. He urges policymakers, communities, and farmers to look beyond short-term productivity and adopt farming practices that conserve soil and water, protect biodiversity, and ensure long-term prosperity for Bharat’s farming families. His message is clear – the future of agriculture lies in working with nature and not against it.
(Featured Image Source: Krishi Jagran)
