Rajasthan, the largest state in India, is often associated with its vast deserts and arid landscapes. Yet, beneath the scorching sun and seemingly inhospitable terrain, Rajasthan boasts a rich history of traditional agriculture that has sustained communities for centuries.
The Earth House farmstay at Haribagh is located near Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. We are in the eastern and not so arid part of the state. While the more arid and desert regions are in the western part of the state, the entire state experiences high temperatures and has a somewhat semi-arid geography, with some pockets of forests towards the south and east.
In this article, we delve into the unique and time-honoured practices of traditional agriculture in Rajasthan, revealing the resilience and resourcefulness of the state's farming communities - some of which continue to inform the way we farm at Haribagh.
The Role of Water Harvesting
Rajasthan's traditional agriculture heavily relies on water conservation and harvesting methods.
The state is dotted with stepwells, locally known as "baori" or "bawdi," which have been ingeniously designed to collect and store rainwater. These stepwells have served as lifelines for farming communities by providing a consistent water source for crops and livestock.
While many stepwells are now dry, especially since water levels have gone deeper in many parts of the state, people have looked at other ways of rainwater harvesting as well.
At Haribagh, we have built a rainwater harvesting pond that can store upto 4 lakh litres of water - enough to get us through about 3-4 months of the spring and winter crop cycle.
When this pond was dug towards the northeast of where the earth house stands at Haribagh, we had huge piles of sand stocked at the farm. It is the same soil that has been used to build the rammed earth walls of the earth house at Haribagh.
The Farming of Drought-Resistant Crops
In response to the challenging climatic conditions, Rajasthan's farmers have also cultivated drought-resistant crops that are well-suited to arid environments.
These include pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), and pulses like moth and guar. These crops require less water and can thrive in the state's semi-arid regions.
While farmers also cultivate crops like wheat, mustard and peanuts, they choose to sow them in rotation and divide field areas in a manner to make the best of the land and water resources.
At Haribagh, we plant a mix of wheat, barley, mustard and chickpea during the winter season and in the later summer / monsoon season we plant a mix of pearl millet (bajra), groundnuts, cluster beans (guar), along with smaller fields of pulses and sesame.
Traditional & New Irrigation Techniques
To make the most of limited water resources, Rajasthan's farmers employ traditional irrigation techniques such as "khadin" and "jhalra."
Khadins are long earthen embankments designed to capture and store runoff water for agricultural use, while jhalras are small reservoirs built to collect and conserve rainwater.
We've carved out such small khadins - like small nullahs at various parts along the farm at Haribagh based on the level and inclination of the land to capture run-off rainwater and to soak it into our soil.
This also builds on the core principles of permaculture that prescribe that we must stop rain water, then spread rain water and finally soak that rain water into our soil. Stop - Spread - Soak.
Along with those, farmers have also taken to new irrigation systems like drip irrigation that help make the best use of limited water resources while reducing wastage.
Agroforestry and Windbreaks
Rajasthan's farmers have also embraced the concept of agroforestry to an extend, planting trees and shrubs alongside crops to provide shade, reduce soil erosion, and conserve moisture.
This is in fact a practice that is widely visible at many farms across India as well.
In Rajasthan, windbreaks of locally grown trees like ardu, khejri and neem are quite common and they protect crops from the region's harsh winds.
The fields at Haribagh have an extensive boundary plantation of local trees like ardu, khejri and neem, we have also planted a range of trees like moringa (sehjan), sagwan (teak), ber (jujube), shehtoot (mulberry) and bamboo.
Animal Husbandry
Livestock, particularly camels, cattle, and goats, play a significant role in Rajasthan's agriculture. It's a form of integrated farm management.
These animals provide not only milk, meat and wool but also serve as an essential source of labour for plowing and transportation.
The farm at Haribagh counts a small free range poultry with country hens, a cow and a few goats among its residents.
Organic Farming
Rajasthan's traditional agriculture has long favoured organic farming practices, building on a proudly frugal mindset towards generating real value.
Many farmers use natural fertilizers like cow dung and over the years vermicompost has become a popular choice to enrich soil and promote crop growth as well.
The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers is often minimal, though it has found takers as well as farmers attempt to make the most of their land and benefit from an informed use of feritlizers and pesticides.
At Haribagh, we use no outside inputs at the farm and only cow manure, vermicompost and natural fertilizers are used in our cultivation.
Crop Diversification
Crop diversification is a common practice in Rajasthan to reduce risks associated with monsoon variability and climate uncertainties.
By growing a variety of crops, farmers can adapt to changing weather patterns and ensure food security. Different regions of the state also specialise in different kinds of crops.
Community Farming and Watershed Management
Community-based farming practices, locally known as "orans" or "common lands," have thrived in Rajasthan. These lands are collectively managed by villagers and are vital for grazing, food production, and water resource management.
While 'Orans' are largely found and maintained in the western regions of the state of Rajasthan, over the years the increase in land prices, improvements in farming yields and the desire for private ownership have collectively led to a transition towards more private or family farms than community farming areas. However, most villages continue to having common village grazing areas for cattle and farm animals.
At large, traditional agriculture in Rajasthan is a remarkable testament to human ingenuity and the ability to adapt to challenging environmental conditions.
The state's farmers have embraced water conservation, drought-resistant crops, and organic farming practices to a varying degree to ensure their livelihoods in the face of water scarcity and arid climates.
By preserving these time-honoured agricultural traditions and adapting new farming techniques and crops, farmer communities in Rajasthan continue to nourish their people and sustain the unique way of life that has thrived for generations.
