Opportunities aplenty to boost farm incomes

War clouds were gathering as we were getting this issue together, making us think what we would do if a full-fledged war actually broke out. But we continued as planned — firm in the belief that this conflict is a miserable interlude that will go away and we can all get back to our lives. The subcontinent deserves a better future than one haunted by drones and missiles.

We have two stories in this issue (and many, many more in our archives) that show that it is possible to make farming rewarding and sustainable. One relates to the efforts of Indian agricultural scientists and the other to the difference an entrepreneur with vision can make.

The bael fruit’s transformations, achieved by agricultural scientists working far from the limelight, is an example of the opportunities that are waiting to be availed of in horticulture. India is rich in biodiversity and lacking in innovative efforts to use the fruits and vegetables that communities nurture and should rightfully bring them prosperity.

With some scientific innovation, bael has morphed from being a humble fruit, long ignored, to a fruit much larger in size, fleshy, sweet and easy to grow. It is ready for commercial processing and farmers have the opportunity to improve their incomes. If there could be a Bael Mission there would be even bigger outcomes.

Our interview of the month is with Raj Seelam, a reclusive and passionate entrepreneur who has built the 24 Mantra brand and, in the process, raised the bar for what is possible in the organic foods business.

ITC is buying out Sresta Natural Bioproducts, the company that owns the 24 Mantra brand. At `430 crore or so, you could say ITC is getting it cheap. And Raj goes out after 20 years, having created much more value than he is getting for the company.

Thanks to this business, 35,000 farmers or thereabouts have been handheld through the process of going from chemical to natural farming methods. Their incomes have risen and they live more healthily. Consumer preferences have also been changed.

Among our other stories, we have one on a low-cost filter that reduces fluorosis and an interview with Dr Manu Vora on implementing the NEP (National Education Policy) in higher education. Chandra Bhushan begins a new column, Getting It Right, in which he will be taking a close look at development initiatives.

In our Living section we bring you a first-hand account of the better life in Goa by Anita Anand. Plus there is an array of magical dolls from Bengal.