Innovative Organic Fertilizer from Cow Dung and Urine in Uttar Pradesh
Revolutionizing Agriculture with Organic Fertilizer
In Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, a local farmer has developed an organic fertilizer using cow dung and urine, which can effectively support farming on 35 bighas (approximately six acres) of land. This innovative approach has garnered significant attention, and Gurmeet Singh, the 35-year-old creator, is in line for a state-level award. Hailing from a farming family in Rasoolpur village, Gurmeet has been utilizing organic fertilizer for sugarcane cultivation for the past five years.
Not only has he successfully grown sugarcane, but he has also applied this fertilizer to various other crops, resulting in impressive yields of wheat, rice, and numerous vegetables.
Gurmeet explained that this chemical-free fertilizer is easy to produce and can lead to substantial agricultural benefits. He noted that the dung and urine from one indigenous cow can facilitate farming on up to 25 acres, requiring just 10 kilograms of dung and five kilograms of urine per acre.
How the Fertilizer is Made
To create the fertilizer, a mixture of dung and urine is combined with three kilograms of jaggery and two kilograms of gram flour. This blend is then mixed with two kilograms of soil from beneath a banyan tree and 200 liters of water. The preparation time is shorter in summer, taking only about 15 days, while in winter, it can take 30 to 40 days. Once ready, the fertilizer can be easily applied through irrigation systems, allowing for gradual release. Additionally, neem and hemp are sprayed on crops to protect them from pests.
Gurmeet emphasized the importance of utilizing cow dung and urine, stating that many people abandon non-milking cows, which is a mistake. Farmers can profit by collecting and selling these materials. As word spreads about his fertilizer, more individuals are visiting Gurmeet to learn about the production process.
Farmer Sukveer remarked on Gurmeet's effective farming methods, noting that the use of organic fertilizer not only enhances soil fertility but also results in healthier crops. Another farmer mentioned that using organic fertilizer helps save costs associated with chemical fertilizers.
On February 27, a two-day state-level jaggery festival is set to take place in Lucknow. The only khandsari unit from the district, operated by Gurmeet Singh, has been selected to participate in the festival. Inspector Ravindra Kumar Singh provided further details, highlighting that this is the first time a jaggery producer from the district has been chosen for a state-level event.