We are a group of small and marginal tribal farmers from the forests of the Aravalli Hills of Gujarat who have founded the Aranya Agriforest Producer Company Limited (AAFPCL). We aspire for AAFPCL to become a leading Agroecology-based producer company providing “Pure-Healthy-Desi” agricultural produce.  AAFPCL was formed in 2016 and registered as an Agriforest Producer Company under   u/s 8 of the Companies Act 2013.

Contemporary post-industrial food production is based on high-input and resource-intensive farming that exacts a heavy toll on the environment, the farmers who work the land, and consumers who ingest the produce. Soil, forests, water, air quality and biodiversity have all become further and further degraded as a result of this form of agriculture, while our health has also suffered. At the same time, this focus on increasing production at any cost has not been sufficient to eradicate hunger.

Aranya promotes a transformation of how we produce and consume food. We create sustainable food systems that offer healthy and nutritious food, while also preserving the environment.  Our agroecological methods of production offer several strategies wherein we use technologies that do not harm the environment. These methods combine traditional and scientific knowledge, harmonising ecological and social approaches to agricultural systems. We nurture ecosystems that ensure rich interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment.

Through agroecology in Aranya, we not only safeguard natural resources and biodiversity, but also promote climate change adaptation and mitigation. We have witnessed how this approach improves the resilience of our farmers to the effects of climate change. This is crucial in India, where one poor crop can mean a season of hunger for farmers and their families.

Aranya’s interventions contribute to the production and consumption of healthy and nutritious food both for farming communities and urban consumers, boosting local economies and markets.  We assist our farmers in sustainably producing sufficient output from their fields to provide for their families’ nutritional needs, while also creating a surplus to sell in the market. We link farmers with markets that provide a fair rate for their produce. This is a vital step towards ensuring that farmers can earn a sustainable livelihood.

Our Services:

 

Promoting Organic Seed Multiplication and Protection:

Aranya promotes organic farming through a seed bank initiative among our farmers. Organic seeds of grains and vegetables are collected from tribal famers and preserved each season. We then facilitate an exchange of seeds based on co-operation and reciprocity among our members. Thus, through the seed bank initiative, we preserve traditional seeds and promote seed multiplication. The exchange of seeds also encourages sharing of traditional cultivation methods among the new generation of our tribal society.

Preparing bio fertiliser and Maintaining Soil Health:

To ensure and sustain soil health, we have developed bio-pesticides that are less toxic, largely affecting only the target pest.  They are effective in very small quantities and are easily biodegradable, thereby reducing agricultural pollution. Our farmers also use bio-fertilizers, which are cost-effective and derived from renewable sources, ensuring integrated soil-nutrient management. We train our member farmers in the use of these bio-fertilizers(Jivamrut, vermi composting)and bio-pesticides(Nimastra).

Producing, Procuring and Marketing Pure and Desi Agricultural, Forest and Ayurvedic produce

We work with our member farmers to cultivate pure and desi produce and then procure them from select farms. Sample grain is tested for their nutritional value in the laboratory and packaged hygienically for consumers in urban and rural markets. We also conduct agricultural experiments on Aranya farm where we encourage farmers to grow ayurvedic produce like Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Arkara.

We procure agricultural produce such as  maize, millets, pulses and other native grains. We also procure forest produce like Mahua flowers, Mahua oil, Kesuda flowers, googal, Museli etc.

 

Capacity Building of Farmers:

Aafpcl facilitates training programme for farmer member on organic farming. Farmer members are encouraged to increase their income through poultry farming, goat rearing etc. Workshops are conducted to disseminate knowledge about livestock care and breeding techniques.

Through Aafpcl’s Soil testing kits and water testing kits farmer members can test soil and know soil health. Through water testing farmers can get good yields through effective irrigation water testing. Land mapping is also done.

Micro Credit Support:

Micro credit support is provided to women members to purchase seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs. Savings group are also formed with women  members with revolving fund. We are trying to engage women in mobilizing their own saving from the fund.

 

Nursery Development:

Aranya has a nursery of Ayurvedic/medicinal plants and vegetable saplings. We give these plants at subsidized rates to our farmer members.

 

Aranya e-store:

Through our online e-Store we are providing pure and Desi produce –Grains, millets, forest produce, Ayurvedic produce, Spices etc. to urban markets. We are providing doorstep deliveries to all the major cities in India