Krittika Das
Krittika Das is a field practitioner and primary author at Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal. Her writing is grounded in daily farm work, long-term soil observation, and small-land realities of eastern India. She focuses on natural farming, soil ecology, ethical dairy, and low-input systems, translating field experience into clear, practical knowledge for farmers and conscious food consumers.
Why Soil Tests Often Confuse Small Farmers
For many small farmers in India, soil testing feels like a responsible step. Samples are collected, reports arrive with numbers, and recommendations follow. Yet instead of clarity, many farmers feel more confused than before. The problem is not that soil tests are useless. The problem is how they are interpreted and what they leave out.
How Tillage Changes Soil Biology More Than Fertilizer
(Mechanism, Not Ideology) When soil health declines, fertilizer often gets the blame. Too much urea. Too many chemicals. While fertilizer misuse does affect soil, it is rarely the first or most powerful disruption. On most Indian farms, tillage changes soil biology more deeply and more immediately than fertilizer ever does. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum,
Common Mistakes Farmers Make When Switching to Natural Farming
Most failures in natural farming do not come from the method itself. They come from how the transition is handled. Across India, many farmers try natural farming with genuine hope, only to abandon it after one or two seasons. When this happens, the conclusion is often that natural farming does not work. In reality, what
How Long Soil Takes to Recover After Chemical Farming
One of the most common and honest questions farmers ask before switching to natural farming is this. How long will my soil take to recover after years of chemical use. This question matters because soil recovery is not abstract. It affects yield stability, input reduction, water use, and confidence. If expectations are wrong, farmers often
Natural Farming vs Organic Farming in India
In India, natural farming and organic farming are often spoken about as if they are the same thing. For small farmers, this confusion is not academic. It affects costs, risk, and whether farming remains viable beyond a few seasons. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal, we have practiced and observed both approaches closely. The
Natural Farming Profitability on Small Farms
Profitability on small farms is often misunderstood. Most discussions focus on yield per acre or market price per kilogram. On small holdings, neither decides survival. What matters is whether a farm can generate stable income without pushing the family into debt, stress, or repeated reinvestment just to stay afloat. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West
Natural Farming Cost Breakdown on Small Land
For small farmers in India, the real question is rarely whether natural farming is good or bad. The real question is simpler and harder at the same time. How much will it cost me, especially in the first few years. On small land, cost decides survival. Even one season of high expense without return can
Natural Farming without Cows: What Beginners can Still Do
For many beginners in India, the first hesitation about natural farming appears around one question. What if I do not have cows. This concern is understandable. Much of the conversation around natural farming highlights indigenous cow based inputs, and beginners often assume that without cows, natural farming is impossible. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West
Natural Farming on Small Land: What Actually Works
Small land changes everything. On paper, farming advice often assumes space, buffers, and capital. On the ground, especially for holdings under five acres, every decision carries weight. One wrong input can lock cash. One failed crop can break confidence. One season of stress can push families out of farming altogether. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum,
Natural Farming for Beginners in India
For many beginners in India, natural farming does not start with ideology. It starts with confusion. What exactly should I stop using.What should I replace it with.Will my soil recover.Will I lose money in the first year. At Terragaon Farms in Birbhum, West Bengal, we have seen that beginners struggle not because natural farming is
