Conventional agriculture relies on expensive chemicals for quick results. On the other hand, regenerative practices rebuild soil health, so that land can once again produce lasting yields. Boomitra’s URVARA Carbon Farming Project is helping farmers across India make the essential switch from conventional to regenerative practices. It’s an initiative that is empowering farmers while mitigating climate change.

The following stories from Basavaraj Horatti and Gurunath Gire showcase how Boomitra’s projects help farmers overcome barriers to become leaders in the charge toward a sustainable future and an inspiration for their communities to follow suit.

Basavaraj Horatti, Karnataka: A lasting legacy

After his father passed away ten years ago, Basavaraj Horatti took over the family’s 2.75-acre farm in Karnataka. He works on the farm alongside his mother and wife while caring for their newborn daughter. Together, they cultivate ground nut and green gram crops, continuing a tradition that was passed down from his father and grandfather. Basavaraj has deep roots in agriculture, but he wouldn’t be able to pass on his livelihood to his daughter without healthier land.

“Farming is a passion for me. If my daughter Chaitanya grows up to nurture the same love for farming, I will make sure I support her.”

Three and a half years ago, Basavaraj decided to transition to organic practices as part of Boomitra’s URVARA project. This wasn’t an easy choice. Abandoning conventional methods he’d been employing for years, like chemical fertilizers, felt risky and could be a lot of work: he’d have to learn new farming techniques and take a leap of faith that these new farming methods could restore his soil.

A week of continuous meetings and training sessions with Boomitra’s partner organization, Subhiksha, eased Basavaraj’s concerns. Through Subhiksha, Basavaraj would have the community, support, and resources necessary to make the transition. Subhiksha taught him that chemical fertilizers degraded his land. Over time, these fertilizers deplete soil organic matter, leading to erosion, compaction, and a decline in microbial activity.

In retrospect, this revelation made sense: when Basavaraj initially applied chemical fertilizers, he noticed rapid crop growth, but it was inconsistent, and the toxicity soon made his crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases. By switching to organic farming, including using decomposed manure from his small herd of cattle, Basavaraj saw steady crop growth, balanced nutrient release, and greater resistance to pests.

Basavaraj built a farm pond filled with rainwater to use during the dry months. He has also started rotating his crops and composting plant scraps with cattle manure, which he then reintegrates into the soil. The result: his soil has become richer in organic matter, and easier to plow. His soil’s fertility and improved water retention stand in stark contrast to neighboring farms that still rely on conventional methods.

Gurunath Gire, Maharashtra: Turning the tide

In the Nanded district of Maharashtra, Gurunath Gire farms 2 acres of land with his wife, three sons, and daughter. Like Basavaraj, Gurunath has been involved in farming since childhood, and after high school, it became his livelihood.

Boomitra’s URVARA program inspired Gurunath to switch from chemical fertilizers to homemade compost. He also creates organic solutions, including amino acid sprays made from eggs and lemons, which enhance plant growth and soil health. Gurunath credits his understanding of these practices to the training sessions and meetings organized by Torus, Boomitra’s partner organization. Torus also helped Gurunath get a small biogas digester to make biogas from plant residues. The digester produces both biogas for cooking and heating, and digestate, a nutrient-rich slurry that can be added to his compost and used as fertilizer. Gurunath firmly believes that applying compost is crucial for enriching the soil—and it wouldn’t have been possible without help.

“The partner representative visits the field regularly, and with their support, we decided to adopt these practices.”

“Earlier, I relied heavily on chemicals. I believe we have been using them in our fields since the Green Revolution,” Gurunath recalls. From years of nutrient depletion, the soil had become hard and overgrown with weeds. However, since fully transitioning to organic farming three years ago, the soil has softened. Gurunath’s cotton harvests, which were initially below average, have steadily increased to an impressive 26 quintals. “My land is number one now,” Gurunath proudly shares.

Initially, other farmers doubted Gurunath’s new practices. “During a time when farming was mainly focused on minimal effort and maximum profit, my methods seemed ridiculous,” he recalls. But today, the tide has turned. Farmers from neighboring areas, inspired by Gurunath’s improved land conditions and yields, now seek his guidance to adopt organic farming themselves.

About the URVARA Project

As part of Boomitra’s broader mission in India, the URVARA Project is dedicated to regenerating soils and supporting farmers through innovative carbon farming techniques. This project helps farmers adopt sustainable practices that sequester carbon in the soil as organic matter, which by definition improves soil health and productivity.

For credit buyers, URVARA offers a unique opportunity to invest in high-quality carbon credits that offset emissions while contributing to the resilience of rural communities, supporting biodiversity, and driving meaningful climate action. Every credit purchased from the URVARA Project directly supports farmers like Basavaraj and Gurunath.

Driving change and inspiring others

Basavaraj Horatti and Gurunath Gire’s stories reflect how farmers can lead the way in transforming their land and securing sustainable livelihoods. Their willingness to embrace change, infusing tradition with innovation, speaks volumes about their commitment to a more sustainable future.

Talk to our team to learn more about soil carbon removal credits.

Pooja Sreenan

Socio Senior de Comunicaciones