Pali. Rajasthan's farmers are increasingly adopting organic farming practices, leading to higher profits and international demand for their products. One such farmer, Lalaram Dudy from Pali, Rajasthan, has found success exporting his organic produce to the United States. He cultivates and processes spices, which are highly sought after abroad.
Lalaram cultivates organic coriander, fenugreek, and cumin, fetching around ₹4,000 per quintal in India and even higher profits through exports. He has also inspired over 1,000 other farmers to adopt organic farming.
Lalaram and his network of over 1,000 farmers, spanning across Pali, Barmer, and Jaisalmer, supply 20,000 to 30,000 tons of cumin and fenugreek to the US annually. Notably, they directly determine the prices, eliminating intermediaries.
Lalaram explains that farmers in the region are now promoting the cultivation of millets. They create organic products from millet and showcase them in international exhibitions. Millet-based biscuits and other products are experiencing high demand abroad. Lalaram's farmer group also includes women from several self-help groups. Lalaram, who has been farming since 1998, initially practiced traditional farming. However, he found that organic farming offered better returns for his efforts. He highlights that cumin and fenugreek are used not only in food but also in medicine.