The “Bihar Living Soils” campaign was an attempt to reduce dependence on agro-chemicals such as chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides, and bring soil back to life by rejuvenating its health and biodiversity while using biomass-based organic supplements. The period of transition from chemical-laden farming to ecological agriculture was not easy, but Kedia’s farmers persevered.

Today, apart from enjoying the benefits of reduced input costs on farming by almost 60%, watching the beetles and the kingfishers make a comeback, becoming self-sufficient and eliminating middlemen, the Kedia farmers are fully trained to help in the capacity-building of other farmers who have chosen to take the chemical-free route.

Seeing the success of the Kedia model, and with the intention of increasing farmers’ income and climate resilience, the state government has announced replication of such organic farming models in all districts of Bihar. In addition, developing organic farming corridors along the state and national highways have been included under state’s 3rd Agriculture Roadmap.