Some journeys are measured in kilometers; others are measured in the dreams they carry. For Babu Ram Ji, the six-kilometer road to his Khadin is a journey towards a more sustainable future.
Author : Ram Krishna
A Journey Where Every Kilometer Carries the Hope of a Better Tomorrow
In the desert villages of western Rajasthan, the distance between a farmer’s home and his field is often measured not in kilometers but in determination. For Babu Ram Ji the six-kilometer journey from his home to his Khadin is much more than a daily commute. It represents a path towards self-reliance, sustainable agriculture, and a better future for his family.
Babu Ram Ji, a farmer whose optimism stood out despite the uncertainties of desert agriculture. He owns 45 bighas of land, although only 30 bighas are presently protected by a Dhora (earthen embankment). The remaining area still awaits further development. Even with these limitations, he firmly believes that proper water conservation can completely transform his agricultural future.
Pointing towards the long road leading to his Khadin, he remarked that the journey was never a burden. Instead, it represented an investment in tomorrow. Every visit to the field strengthens his belief that if rainfall is favourable and rainwater is conserved effectively, his family’s economic condition will improve significantly.
Dreaming of Organic Farming Through Nature’s Own Resources
Unlike many farmers who increasingly depend upon chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Babu Ram Ji dreams of cultivating his land entirely through organic farming. He believes that healthy soil naturally produces healthy crops without relying on chemical inputs.
He shared his vision with remarkable confidence:
“जैविक खेती सबसे बढ़िया है। गाय का गोबर डालो और फसल पैदा हो जाती है। रसायनों की कोई ज़रूरत नहीं पड़ती। जैविक खेती करेंगे तो ज़हर से मुक्ति मिल जाएगी।”
“Organic farming is the best. Apply cow dung and the crop grows naturally. There is no need for chemical fertilizers. Organic farming will free us from poisonous chemicals.”
For him, organic farming is not simply an agricultural technique but a healthier way of living. He considers cow dung to be the only fertilizer his fields require and believes that reducing chemical use will improve both soil fertility and human health. His aspiration reflects a growing awareness among farmers that long-term sustainability depends upon working with nature rather than against it.
Building a Khadin One Step at a Time
The geographical setting of Babu Ram Ji’s Khadin reveals why traditional water harvesting remains so important in the Thar Desert. Both sides of his Khadin consist of rocky terrain where cultivation is extremely difficult. The cultivated portion lies in the centre, where Multani (clayey) soil possesses a much greater capacity to retain rainwater and moisture.
Although the Chadar has already been constructed, the Naala has not yet been built. This decision has been taken deliberately rather than because of financial constraints. Babu Ram Ji first wishes to observe how rainwater naturally accumulates inside the Khadin and identify the most suitable direction for water drainage. Only after understanding the flow pattern will the Naala be constructed.
This careful planning demonstrates his practical understanding of water management. Rather than rushing construction, he prefers to allow the landscape itself to determine the most efficient design.
The Khadin has already supported the cultivation of moong, wheat, gram, and cumin, demonstrating its agricultural potential. To sow the entire cultivated area, approximately one quintal of seed is required every season. Preparing the land before sowing costs nearly ₹15,000, yet the family avoids additional labour expenses because household members collectively participate in every stage of cultivation.
Balancing Production Costs with Household Livelihoods
Although agriculture remains the family’s primary occupation, it requires continuous investment. Earlier, harvesting expenses alone amounted to nearly ₹4,000–5,000 for operating the threshing machine, while transporting the harvested crop from the Khadin to the house required an additional ₹1,000. Despite these costs, crop production has gradually improved. During the previous agricultural season, the family harvested approximately 15 bags of cumin and five bags of Isabgol, a medicinal crop widely used in pharmaceutical products. The entire harvest was sold for around ₹30,000.
Livestock forms another essential component of the household economy. The family currently owns 12 cows and seven goats. However, maintaining these animals has become increasingly expensive because nearby grazing resources have declined. Every day the livestock must be taken nearly five kilometers into nearby forest areas for grazing. Since the family cannot always accompany the animals themselves, they hire a herder for approximately ₹1,000 to manage this responsibility.
When local fodder becomes insufficient, additional feed must be purchased from Murbas, located nearly 150 kilometers away. Transporting fodder over such long distances costs almost ₹30,000, illustrating how rainfall shortages significantly increase the financial burden on livestock-dependent households. He also believes that Beri water is healthier than other available sources and considers it beneficial for preventing illnesses among family members.
Technology, Hard Work, and the Hope for a Better Future
Agriculture alone does not always provide sufficient income for the household. During periods when there is little work on the farm, Babu Ram Ji supplements his earnings through daily wage labor, receiving approximately ₹500 per day. This additional income helps meet household expenses until the next agricultural season.
Reflecting upon changes over time, he explained how modern agricultural machinery has transformed farming practices. Earlier, limited resources meant that only five to ten bighas could be cultivated, and almost every operation required intense manual labor. Today, machines have reduced physical hardship while allowing farmers to cultivate much larger areas with greater efficiency. Improved technology has increased productivity, enabling families to obtain better harvests with comparatively less effort.
Alongside cultivation, Babu Ram Ji also fulfills his responsibility of paying tippi, a land-related tax applicable to his 45 bighas of agricultural land. According to him, approximately ₹500 per bigha must be paid to the government. Failure to pay this amount results in financial penalties, making it another unavoidable cost of farming.
As our conversation came to an end, it became evident that Babu Ram Ji’s story extends far beyond crop production. It is the story of a farmer who believes that water conservation, organic farming, careful planning, and persistent hard work together can transform rural livelihoods. His six-kilometer journey to the Khadin symbolizes much more than physical distance—it reflects the determination to build a future where healthy soil, conserved water, and sustainable agriculture become the foundation of prosperity for generations to come.
Summary
This article presents the journey of Babu Ram Ji, a farmer from Kanoi village, whose vision for sustainable agriculture is rooted in water conservation and organic farming. Despite having only 30 bighas of his 45 bighas protected by a Khadin embankment, he remains optimistic about improving his family’s livelihood through rainwater harvesting. The article highlights his reliance on traditional practices such as using cow dung as fertilizer, careful planning of Khadin structures, diversified cropping, livestock rearing, and wage labour. It also explores the economic realities of desert farming, demonstrating how resilience, innovation, and hope continue to shape rural livelihoods in the desert.