Indian farmers learning to double their yields

Godavari Bhinradia and her husband Hirji were farmers in rural India, and water in their region was in short supply. That meant they couldn't manage to turn a profit on their crops. Hirji: "Our land is not favourable for crop cultivation. We wanted some kind of technology that could make it more cultivable."

Then they learned about the AgriTech Fair, an international fair in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, where world leaders, scientists, farmers and many others gather to discuss, among other things, the latest agricultural techniques. Israel has long been a leader in agriculture and water technologies.

The Bhinradias made their way to the fair in 2015. It must have been quite a major decision, and it paid off. They learned about some pretty advanced farming techniques, such as nethouses, which are sort of like greenhouses with insect-proof nets. Keeping insects out saves plants from being eaten and getting sick, without chemicals.

"Many villagers in the district of Botad have adopted the Israeli nethouse and greenhouse methods. It protects trees in adverse climate like wind and cold. Simultaneously, it protects trees from diseases."

An article by fromthegrapevine.com shows how, since learning about the new techniques, the farmers have gathered together with about 100 other farmers in the area, steadily exchanging farming tips. "Israeli farmers taught us not to allow climbers to grow too much," continued Bhinradia. "We experimented with their methods and it gave us better results. It doubled the yield." Now they're growing chikku, dates, gooseberries, pears and watermelons on their farm.