About Us
Welcome to Aumkaar Natural Farms – Growing Sustainably, Naturally
Nestled in the serene foothills of Mahabaleshwar near Poladpur, Aumkaar Natural Farms is dedicated to Sustainable Integrated Natural Farming (SINF). Our approach blends traditional wisdom with modern innovations to cultivate healthy, chemical-free crops while preserving the environment.
Spanning one acre of farmland, with additional leased land as needed, our farm is a model of eco-friendly agriculture. We practice permaculture, SPNF, and regenerative farming, creating a balanced ecosystem where agroforestry, orchards, livestock, and plantations thrive together.
At Aumkaar Natural Farms, we believe in maximizing nature’s potential. Our farm promotes biodiversity, soil regeneration, and smart mechanization, ensuring sustainable productivity. We also focus on value-added processing, minimizing waste and enhancing the worth of every crop we grow.
Beyond farming, we are committed to helping other farmers transition to natural, sustainable methods. Serving as a model farm, we actively support and educate farmers across Mahad and Poladpur Talukas, empowering them to adopt sustainable practices for a greener future.
🌱 Sustainability. Innovation. Growth. 🌾
Vision
To cultivate a sustainable, eco-friendly, and profitable farming model that nurtures the land, empowers farmers, and promotes effortless, chemical-free agriculture for a healthier future.
Mission
To revive agriculture in Konkan by making farming profitable, effortless, and sustainable. We strive to empower farmers with natural, innovative practices that enhance productivity while promoting a healthy lifestyle and a deeper connection with the land.
Our Core Values
- Holistic Sustainability – Balancing soil health, biodiversity, and productivity.
- Self-Sufficiency – Achieving farm profitability without external dependencies.
- Adaptability – Continuous improvement through research and innovation.
- Demonstration-Based Learning – Teaching by doing, not just telling.
- Knowledge Sharing – Open-source learning for all farmers.
Our Journey: Overcoming Challenges, Growing with Nature
Aumkaar Natural Farms began its journey in November 2020, in the midst of the pandemic and lockdown, on a piece of land that had remained uncultivated for over 20 years. The land had even been used for a brick kiln, stripping away its fertile topsoil. Restoring its health became our first mission.
Following the principles of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF), we began by planting local fruit trees in a five-layer orchard system, covering 80% of the land, while reserving the remaining area for commercial crops and essential infrastructure. To rejuvenate the depleted soil, we applied Ghanjeevamrut annually and drenched the land with Jeevamrut twice a month—on Amavasya and Poornima, maintaining a strict natural farming regimen.
Challenges We Overcame
🟢 Sourcing Gomutra & Cow Dung – SPNF requires cow-based inputs, but sourcing Gomutra and cow dung was difficult. To overcome this, we brought in our own cows, starting with one indigenous cow, and later expanding to three cows, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality farmyard manure. Though the milk yield was minimal, the manure proved invaluable for soil enrichment.
💧 Water Scarcity – Our first borewell, dug in the first year, was completely dry. It was a setback, but we persisted and dug a second borewell, which finally provided ample water for our farm.
🌱 Poor Crop Growth – Natural farming is a slow process, requiring time for the soil microbiome to regenerate. Initially, Jeevamrut applications boosted weed growth, while the crops remained stunted. To accelerate soil fertility, we built a vermicompost setup and began incorporating vermicompost into the soil. This enhanced plant growth significantly.
Experimentation & Learning
At Aumkaar Natural Farms, we believe in continuous learning. Over the years, we have experimented with alternative farming techniques, including multilayer farming, companion planting, and soil regeneration methods. We have also conducted small-scale trials with various crops to identify the best-suited varieties for our soil and climate, alongside traditional local crops.
The Road Ahead
Our journey has been one of resilience and discovery. Every challenge has strengthened our commitment to sustainable, profitable, and effortless farming. As we continue to refine our practices, we remain dedicated to sharing our knowledge, encouraging farmers to embrace natural farming, and proving that agriculture can be both sustainable and rewarding. 🌿