India, April 25 -- Pradnyesh Jori, Sanket Bhor and Pandurang Pable came together to promote natural farming and help farmers get rid of their debt cycles

​The more things change, the more they stay the same. Farming has undergone several shifts over the years, from the widespread use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to hydroponics and organic farming, which is essentially chemical-free. Yet, despite India ranking No. 1 globally in organic farming, only about 2 to 3 per cent of cultivable land is under such practices.

The reason is not difficult to understand. As Sri Lanka's experience has shown, while organic farming is healthier, yields are often 20 to 30 per cent lower than with chemical farming, even though the produce co...