Surendranagar, Oct. 16 -- Farmers in Gujarat are increasingly turning to natural farming to reduce cultivation costs, improve soil health and enhance their income by processing and marketing their produce.

In Vadod village of Surendranagar district, 70-year-old farmer Kalubhai Patel has been practising cow-based natural farming for nearly 13 years. Along with his son, he cultivates turmeric on four acres using natural inputs, without chemical fertilisers.

To increase the value of his produce, Patel processes turmeric into powder and pickles for direct sale. His home-based processing unit, equipped with a steam boiler, polishing machine and pulveriser, was established at a cost of around Rs 5 lakh, of which Rs 2.5 lakh was provided as a ...