Gowda started with ZBNF on just an acre of land as an experiment. However, getting rid of any kind of dependence is not easy, and the same is true for soil and plants. His crops did not take well to the home-made fertiliser, and nearly 50 per cent of them got damaged in the initial period of gestation.

But, he did not lose heart and spent months understanding the requirements of the soil and plants. During this period, he figured out the health of his farm and chose seeds that would suit the weather and soil conditions of the field.

“I was in constant touch with Palekar sir. I implemented each of his suggestions and patiently waited for the results. After a year of hard work and mocking from fellow farmers, the patch of land bloomed with fruits, grains and vegetables. I was shocked to see multiple plants like banana, pulses, marigold, onion, pumpkin thriving together,” he informs.

The massive profits further validated the success within the first three months of production

“Using a multi-cropping method, I planted several plants with an investment of merely Rs 5,000 and got a profit of Rs 16,000.”

He also used cow dung to revive the fertility and nutrient value of soil.

“Cow dung has crores of beneficial microorganisms that decompose the dried biomass on the soil and convert it into ready-to-use nutrients for plants. This process is found in forests where healthy plants grow without any chemical. Since most farmers use chemicals, it kills the microorganisms,” says Gowda, explaining the science behind this step.

On finding success, he implemented this method on five acres over the years.

Under this method, five types of crops with varying heights and rooting patterns are cultivated together at the same time. Multilayer cultivation optimally utilises space horizontally and vertically

From long and medium-height trees, bushes, creepers to grass, Gowda grew them all, and here’s his multi-cropping model:

  1. For the tallest layer, he planted 30 coconut trees, and since one tree gives around 300 coconuts in a year, that amounts to a total income of Rs 1.80 lakh.
  2. On a rotational basis, Gowda plants either 30 trees of Orange or Mosambi (Sweet Lime). “One tree gives a minimum of 15 kilos and a maximum of 100 kilos. I earn around Rs 1.5 lakh from the middle layer,” says Gowda.
  3. 200 banana and 400 areca nut trees are planted as the third layer. Annually, he earns around Rs 3 lakh (Rs 60,000 from banana trees and Rs 2.4 lakh from areca nut) from this layer.
  4. Just like the second layer, the fourth layer also works on a rotational basis. He either plants 200 trees of cocoa or coffee and each tree produces 2 kilos. Additionally, he has also planted 200 gliricidia, 200 vanilla and 400 black pepper trees.
  5. In the final layer, Gowda planted ginger and turmeric. “Annually, I get up to ten quintals of turmeric. I sell one quintal starting from Rs 200 to 2000 depending on the variety.”

Gowda also grows other plants such as drumsticks, spinach, bottle guard, brinjals, lemons, pulses and so on

Gowda abides by four cultivation principles that act as pillars to sustain the five-layer model. These are jeevamruthambeejamrutham, mulching and maintaining the water ratio.

As mentioned earlier, while jeevamrutham provides nutrients for plant growth, beejamrutham (a mix of cow dung, urine, lime and water) protects seeds and roots from the fungus.

The process of mulching is very crucial when it comes to soil health, “It retains moisture in the soil, prevents weed growth and promotes biodiversity,” he says.

Before sowing, Gowda digs a pit with a depth of three feet and fills it with tree branches, fruit residues, coconut leaves and covers it with sand, “This helps in absorbing nitrogen from the air and gives it to the plants.”

As for water, Gowda says that his land is double-wet and rain-fed. He adds six litres of water to one kilo of humus (decomposed organic matter) that suffices an acre, “The nutrient-rich soil produces carbon and nitrogen that prevents evaporation and I save lakhs of litres of water.”

If there is one thing Gowda has learnt in the last 15 years, it is to treat the farm like a forest.

“Forests thrive on their own with any chemicals or constant watering. I have inculcated the same ecosystem on my farm. So, all that my team and I do is harvest the plants. My expenses have drastically reduced, and I only spend money on purchasing new seeds and on hiring labour,” he says.

Gowda strongly believes that adopting the ZBNF model can reduce agriculture-related issues like heavy credit, chemicals, monetary loss and most importantly, prevent farmer suicides.