An opportunity talk over with to Manisha Gosain’s land in Dehradun all through the COVID-19 pandemic gave her and her sister, Namita Rawat Negi, the speculation to transform it into the Doon Gooseberry Farm. They develop greens like tomatoes, brinjals, pumpkins, spinach, and extra, and promote value-added merchandise produced from them.
In 2021, when Namita Rawat Negi and Manisha Gosain, two sisters from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, determined to pursue farming, their resolution raised extra eyebrows than smiles.
Then again, pushed by way of their robust self-belief and a want to give protection to agricultural land, they ventured into what’s broadly thought to be one of the most hardest occupations — farming.
This adventure calls for immense perseverance and persistence, however their decision has remained unwavering.
Of their 40s, many believed that Namita and Manisha would simplest dabble in farming for a couple of months prior to returning to their earlier lives and jobs; in all probability promoting the land. Then again, they defied expectancies and persevered in construction their agricultural mission.
Lately, they proudly function Doon Gooseberry Farm, a comfortable setup born from their willpower and keenness, supported steadfastly by way of their husbands.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we first visited my sister’s land in Dehradun. The scene was once no longer promising. We have been confronted with 10 bighas of land lined in unruly grass and creepers,” stocks Namita.
“Then again, what instantly stuck our consideration have been the gooseberry timber (amla) weighted down with fruit, a lot of that have been going to waste. We immediately felt the want to take motion, no longer simplest to give protection to our land but additionally to nurture it and reap the rewards of its bounty,” she provides.
The 2 sisters entered the sector of farming with out a prior revel in or publicity. Then again, via trial and mistake, they have got realized to plant and nurture their plants successfully. Right here’s their tale.
A blended effort
The 2 sisters are ably helped by way of their husbands, Vineet Singh Negi and retired military Colonel Vikas Gosain.
“Harvesting the timber has advanced right into a circle of relatives affair,” Namita stocks. “We even invite our pals to enroll in us because it’s an excellent chance to spend the day in combination and benefit from the culmination of our labour.”
From chutneys and pickles to jams crafted from the recent produce akin to amla, mango, turmeric, garlic and lemon, Doon Gooseberry Farm has expanded its choices to incorporate a various array of goods, creating a web benefit of Rs 5 lakh. Their overall source of revenue was once Rs 11 lakh for the final monetary 12 months.
Along with this, the farm additionally homes poultry and cultivates quite a lot of greens akin to tomatoes, brinjals, pumpkins, spinach, mustard, and girl’s arms. Whilst they promote merchandise produced from amla, mango, turmeric, lemon, and tomatoes, the opposite greens satisfy their family wishes, making sure a self-sufficient and homely atmosphere.
“At Doon Gooseberry Farm, our project is understated and but profound: to give you the international with delectable, wholesome meals choices which are loose from damaging preservatives. Our adventure started with the will to include a way of life wealthy in power, the place shall we savour these kinds of flavours nurtured in our very personal yard,” says Manisha.
She provides, “Our produce prospers underneath the solar, untouched by way of chemical sprays or pesticides. It’s right here that the roots of Doon Gooseberry Farm run deep, the place our willpower to purity and high quality is company.”
They use shells of natural eggs, vegetable peels, and cow manure because the high supply of nourishment for his or her cultivation.
Then again, the adventure has been some distance from clean. “Water availability is a essential factor,” Namita explains.
“Being in a hilly space with a non-perennial river within reach, water shortage is an important problem. This can be a number one explanation why many of us round us are forsaking their agricultural lands.”
Regardless of the federal government’s efforts to create canals for water provide, Namita notes that there’s nonetheless a serious scarcity, in particular all through the summer time months. “We’re recently exploring rainwater harvesting as a possible way to create a competent supply of water,” Namita stocks.
“Then again, we sincerely hope that the water scenario improves. Whilst the river has some water at sure issues, different spaces stay utterly dry. We imagine that if the federal government addresses this factor earnestly, it’s going to no longer simplest get advantages us but additionally many others who want to pursue farming with better ease and happiness.”
These days, Doon Gooseberry Farm collaborates with native girls and small processing gadgets to fabricate its merchandise. Then again, the farm aspires to determine its personal processing unit staffed totally by way of girls sooner or later.
“We initiated our mission with the help of an agricultural mortgage and assist from circle of relatives,” Namita explains. “This enabled us to make the land cultivable and satisfy our elementary necessities. Now, our objective is to extend additional, with a focal point on offering employment alternatives to locals, in particular girls.”
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This text has been written by way of Shweta Bhanot Mehrotra. Image credit: Manisha and Namita.
Edited by way of Padmashree Pande.