Join the Movement for a Sustainable Future with Urmul Seemant Samiti

Join the Movement for a Sustainable Future with Urmul Seemant Samiti

Agri Diary

At Urmul Seemant Samiti, we firmly believe that the most enduring changes come from within the community. By fostering community-driven initiatives, we aim to empower farmers across Rajasthan to become the architects of their own sustainable futures. In collaboration with the Farm India Foundation, our mission is clear: to provide rural farmers with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in a sustainable, eco-friendly way.  

Mission Biogas: A Movement for Sustainability

  Mission Biogas is not merely a technological intervention; it represents a profound shift toward a cleaner, greener, and more resilient lifestyle. This initiative seeks to address two critical concerns in rural Rajasthan: soil health and clean energy. By introducing biogas technology, we offer farmers a sustainable solution that enhances the fertility of their lands and provides a renewable source of clean fuel for their households.  

Empowering Farmers through Accessible Technology

  At the core of Mission Biogas is our commitment to making biogas technology accessible and affordable for every farmer. Our approach is community-focused, ensuring that farmers play an active role in the setup and use of biogas units. With the right training, tools, and support, each farmer becomes a vital part of a larger movement, transforming their land and their way of life. Through this initiative, we help farmers transition from traditional, unsustainable methods to practices that enrich the soil, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, and cut down harmful carbon emissions. The adoption of biogas not only provides households with clean cooking fuel but also generates enriched slurry, a powerful biofertilizer that rejuvenates the desert soil.  

A Movement for Lasting Change

  Mission Biogas is a movement—one that transforms lives, households, and communities. By using biogas technology, farmers are not just adopting a modern tool; they are becoming changemakers, leading the way in building a more resilient and empowered rural community. This movement is rooted in the belief that every farmer has the potential to contribute to a more sustainable future, and we are here to provide them with the support they need to achieve that.  

Impacting Lives and Lands

  Since its inception, Mission Biogas has already made a significant impact across Rajasthan:
  • Empowered over 1000 families by providing them with biogas units, allowing them to generate clean fuel at home and reduce their reliance on conventional energy sources.
  • Reduced carbon emissions by 10,000 tons per year, contributing to the global fight against climate change.
  • In Transition more than 10,000 bighas of desert land into chemical-free, sustainable farming through the use of enriched slurry from biogas digesters.
  • Working across 15 districts in Rajasthan, with a goal to expand even further in the coming years, our initiative is reshaping the future of agriculture and clean energy in the region.

A Vision for the Future

  Looking ahead, our vision for Mission Biogas is to scale this movement to reach even more farmers, families, and communities. Our aim is to empower 5000 farmers by 2027, helping them transition to sustainable, chemical-free farming practices. Through this, we aspire to create a ripple effect, where the use of clean, renewable energy becomes the norm rather than the exception, and the desert soil is restored to its natural fertility. Together with the farmers of Rajasthan, Urmul Seemant Samiti and the Farm India Foundation are committed to building a greener, more resilient future—one where every farmer is a changemaker, and every household is a beacon of sustainability. This is the power of Mission Biogas: transforming lives, empowering communities, and nurturing the land for generations to come.
Learning through Experiments : Story of Seemants’ Demo Farms

Learning through Experiments : Story of Seemants’ Demo Farms

Agri Diary

In order to witness a transformation in the world, it's essential to initiate a transformation within oneself. Embracing this notion, in the year 2013, Urmul Seemant started a model farm to practise organic and sustainable farming, aiming to showcase and inspire farmers to adopt the organic method of farming to improve their livelihoods while considering environmental sustainability. The task was as challenging as it could be, given the desert soil, extreme temperatures, and reliance on rainfall. The ownership and responsibility of the farm were taken up by Mahaveer ji, who was a farmer himself but was working as a driver at the organisation at that time. With guidance and support from agricultural scientist Dr. Indermohan Verma, an area of 5 bigha was levelled for the farm, and multiple pits were dug up for planting. Mahavir ji began by igniting fires in those pits to remove any insects and pests from the soil, using the ash to enhance soil fertility. He started by planting Nimbu, Mosambi, Kinoo, and Eggplant in the inner pits of the farm, while Henna, Gunda, and Kumta trees were planted along the boundary to provide cooler winds to the farm.
Map of the Seemant Campus, highlighting the 3 Demo farms

Map of the Seemant Campus, highlighting the 3 Demo farms

Over time, a variety of plants and vegetables were gradually introduced to the farm, with some facing failure while others managed to thrive. Presently, the farm boasts a diverse range of plants including Amla, Nimbu, Kinoo, Anaar, Mulberry, Gunda, Bel Pathar, Rohida, and an abundance of Aloe Vera. In addition to the main farm, a smaller plot spanning around half a bigha (referred to as Farm 2) has been dedicated to cultivating Moringa, Mango, and Jamun trees.
Om ji and Pritam ji sowing farm 2 with Moringa seeds

Om ji and Pritam ji sowing farm 2 with Moringa seeds

In the realm of farming, challenges are a constant presence. However, at the Seemant model farm, these challenges are consistently met with organic and sustainable solutions. This approach led to the creation of innovative solutions such as Agniastra, Neemastra, and Beejamrit, all crafted from local materials and techniques. Following their successful implementation, these solutions were shared with farmers, accompanied by training to empower them to create these solutions independently. More recently, an issue arose with the Anar (Pomegranate) fruits developing cracks due to a Boron deficiency. This challenge was overcome by utilising a mixture of Biogas slurry and vermiwash, resulting in the resolution of the issue and facilitating proper fruiting of the plant.
Mahavir ji standing in Plot B of the Farm 3

Mahavir ji standing in Plot B of the Farm 3

Another experiment involving biogas slurry was conducted to cultivate pearl millet in Farm 3. The designated area of approximately 3 bighas was divided into 2 plots. In Plot A, Mahavir ji utilised the slurry, which was blended with hydrogel and vermicompost from the pilot biogas project. This project operates in collaboration with Sonu Kothari ( HNI businessman and the founder of Farm India Foundation), an initiative pioneered by desert fellow Tony.
Mahavir ji standing in Plot A of the Farm 3

Mahavir ji standing in Plot A of the Farm 3

And in Plot B, He did not use any slurry. Both of these plots were rainfed. The results showed a very significant growth difference within these plots. With such innovations and sustainable practices, Urmul Seemant and Mahavir ji spread this knowledge and experience among the many farmers and have inspired many farmers to adopt organic and sustainable farming practices beneficial to the land and living of the desert.
Opportunities Galore

Opportunities Galore

Agri Diary

Once valued at Rs. 1 lac per camel, the camels of western Rajasthan have low use value and currently priced at a meager value of Rs. 2500-5000 per camel. Bhanwarlal Raika, a camel herder from Nokh, Bikaner, used to own 60 camels. Despite owning a large herd, his attention gradually shifted from camel herding to other activities over the decades due to declining income opportunities. A story of hope brought home by his brother Sriram Raika, encouraged Bhanwarlal to change his course of action. Sriram Raika, Secretary of one of the Camel Herders’ Federation formed under The Camel Partnership, driven by Urmul and partner organisations, had the opportunity to go on an exposure visit to Sarhad Dairy at Bhuj and see for himself the change that was brought about by camel milk alone. He saw how the camel herding communities at Bhuj were able to successfully integrate camels into the modern economy. Thoroughly impressed by the possibility of doing the same within his community, Sriram Raika returned home to Nokh and shared his insightful experiences with brother Bhanwarlal and the other camel herders. Sensing the lucrative opportunity of starting his own camel milk business, Bhanwarlal has now purchased 40 new camels – an extremely rare case in a region where camel herders were earlier selling off their camels or leaving them astray due to high costs of rearing and lack of hope. This brings a silver lining to a dark cloud that has been long hovering over the camel herding communities of the Thar.
Strengthening Dairy Farming and Sustainable Agriculture through Knowledge-Sharing and Collaborative Initiatives

Strengthening Dairy Farming and Sustainable Agriculture through Knowledge-Sharing and Collaborative Initiatives

Agri Diary

Strengthening Dairy Farming and Sustainable Agriculture through Knowledge-Sharing and Collaborative Initiatives Dairy farming plays a vital role as a source of livelihood in desert regions. It holds significant importance in generating income for the local communities. The desert environment may pose various challenges for agriculture, but dairy farming proves to be a sustainable and profitable venture in these arid areas. In addition to its economic importance, dairying in the desert also has social and cultural significance. It is deeply ingrained in the traditions and lifestyle of the desert-dwelling communities, with milk and dairy products being an integral part of their daily diet and various celebrations. However, the challenges of desert dairying should not be underestimated, especially considering the considerable distance between hamlets in these areas. This geographical barrier takes a toll on the logistics involved in managing dairy operations.

Establishing of 6 new IMCs

To address this challenge, we have taken proactive measures by establishing six new Instant Milk Chilling Centres (IMCs) with the support of the SELCO Foundation. These centres will be managed by dedicated community members. This decentralised approach aims to improve the efficiency of milk collection, processing, and distribution, ensuring that dairy farming remains a sustainable and viable source of livelihood for the desert communities. By setting up these IMCs, the challenge of long distances between hamlets is addressed. The IMCs act as local collection points, significantly reducing transportation time and costs additionally enhancing efficiency.

Kisan Chaupal with KVK

Kisan Chaupal with KVK URMUL Seemant Samiti co-hosted the Kisan Chaupal in collaboration with the Kisan Vigyan Kendra of Swami Keshvanand University and Rajasthan Agricultural University organised an event at URMUL Seemant Samiti in Bajju, Rajasthan on May 10th. The event aimed to provide farmers with valuable insights and information, focusing on the benefits of the Din Dayal model of biogas as a sustainable energy source. Expert speakers discussed renewable energy, cost savings, organic fertiliser production, and waste management. The event also highlighted the advantages of rainwater harvesting and water management techniques, helping farmers conserve water, cope with droughts, and improve crop yields.

Kisan Baithaks in the field

Kisan Baithaks in the field We have been actively organising Kisan Baithak in the field, and their impact on desert communities cannot be overstated. These gatherings provide a vital platform for farmers and community members to come together and discuss crucial topics related to agriculture, specifically tailored to the unique challenges faced by desert communities. By addressing issues such as agriculture, milk production, cattle feed, manure management, and increasing green fodder production, Kisan Baithak offers valuable insights and practical knowledge to farmers in desert regions. These discussions focus on sustainable farming practices that are adapted to arid environments, maximising yield while conserving water and minimising the impact on the delicate desert ecosystem. Kisan Baithaks in the field
Empowering Communities through BioGas with unique partnerships and Innovation

Empowering Communities through BioGas with unique partnerships and Innovation

Agri Diary

An innovative collaboration has been forged with visionary entrepreneur Mr. Sonu Kothari, founder of Farm India Foundation, along with Urmul Seemant Samiti and dedicated community members which operates on a unique principle of empowerment and ownership. Sonu Kothari (HNI Businessman and founder of Farm India Foundation ) offers interest-free loans, with a generous 50% subsidy, to support the installation of biogas plants for the beneficiaries. In turn, the beneficiaries contribute the remaining amount while Urmul Seemant Samiti plays a vital role in providing human resources, identifying beneficiaries, and executing strategies on the ground. With the promising outcomes of an initial pilot project featuring five bio gas plants, the initiative is now being scaled up to benefit 50 additional beneficiaries. This expansion signifies a powerful step towards sustainability and ensures a lasting impact on the communities involved.

Innovation

Empowering Communities through BioGas with unique partnerships and Innovation Currently, another pilot project is underway in collaboration with Sonu Kothari (HNI Businessman and founder of Farm India Foundation ) with Urmul Seemant Samiti. This project aims to assess the performance of a different biogas model called "Home Bio." Additionally, to separate liquid and solid particles from biogas slurry and add value to these components for agricultural purposes and taking the separated liquid and blending it with jivaamrit, undergoing aerobic digestion to enhance its value. Simultaneously, the separated solid is utilised to produce vermicompost. To further augment the properties of vermicompost, we are incorporating hydrogel into the mix. Hydrogel is a biodegradable polymer known for its remarkable ability to retain moisture. It is derived from orange peel and serves as an effective solution to overcome water stress in agricultural fields. By blending hydrogel with vermicompost, we aim to enhance its water holding capacity and moisture retention capabilities. This combination ensures that the water is released to plants when needed, supporting their growth and resilience even in challenging conditions. Spearheading this experiment is Tony, our dedicated desert fellow, who is diligently developing this innovative model. This ongoing pilot project signifies commitment for continuous improvement and exploration of more sustainable biogas solutions. By harnessing the potential of Home Bio and incorporating advanced techniques like slurry separation and hydrogel addition, we strive to optimise the efficiency and environmental impact of our bio gas initiatives.