Agricultural diversification in Gujarat

Agricultural initiatives in Gujarat are increasingly focusing on sustainable practices, value-added processing, and crop diversification to improve farmer livelihoods.

In Sabarkantha and Banaskantha, agribusiness programs are utilizing a ‘Train-the-Trainer’ model across 17 micro-clusters. Through 33 demonstration farms, over 6,000 growers are adopting improved agronomic practices for potato cultivation, which has resulted in reduced irrigation water usage and lower costs. Meanwhile, in the Surendranagar district, farmers are employing natural, cow-based methods to cultivate turmeric. Supported by government subsidies, these growers are establishing home-based processing units for products such as turmeric powder and pickles to increase profit margins.

Further diversification is evident in the Bhavnagar district, where farmers have transitioned to avocado cultivation. In Kodhiya village, successful yields from scientific farming practices have drawn local interest, despite ongoing challenges regarding the marketability of specific fruit varieties.