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Natural Farming

Bandh - Patta, India

Natural Farming

Code: RC-MTV-AGR-07/26 | Location: India

Notes

Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous area where the economy is pre-dominantly agriculture based. However, due to shortage of water and small terraces on sloppy land the agriculture is unsustainable and farm output is not sufficient keeping in mind economic value it gets. Also due to steep terrain and small terraces automated machines have limited usage here. As a result we fear food security problem in the future as many people are losing interest in agriculture.

In order to sustain interest of people not only in agriculture but to enhance their farm production through natural faming, we give high importance to this project. At our campus, we have already demonstrated successfully making and uses of various form of natural composting, Kitchen Gardening, Agroforestry, floriculture, off season vegetables, orchard development here. At present we are preparing to install hydroponics system at our campus for demonstration, training and self sufficiency. In due course we would like to serve as demonstration centre for farmers.

In partnership with

RUCHI NGO along with village council

Description of the Work

With this initiative we aim to educate and train farmers in nearby communities by acting as a resource and demonstration centre for sharing good practices among farmers.
The volunteers are required to assist us in following areas:
• daily maintenance of farm and make natural/organic sprays, pesticide and produce chemical free products.
• Actively assist our team to realise our dream to be self sufficient by producing majority of fruits, vegetable that we consume.
• Introduce or reinforce good farming practices and grow off season and low water consuming vegetable.
• Assist in installing a low cost hydroponics system at campus.

Accommodation & Food

Food is provided. Local, fresh meals are made and served. The volunteers are expected to contribute in kitchen. A private or shared bedroom and shared bath are provided in one of the residential houses, our volunteer house or at the farm.

Location & Leisure

Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka town and 60 km from Chandigarh city. The area offers a unique opportunity to live with nature in a peaceful environment.

During leisure time, discover vibrant rural life, visit nearby places of attraction like old Sikh and Hindu temples, Kasauli hill station. A visit to Shimla, the state capital, will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains and British architecture.

Requirements

Knowledge of farming and creativity on farming practices; ability to educate on growing off season vegetable or dry cropping

Appointment

Kalka

Host Organization

Rural Centre for Human Interests (known as RUCHI, which means ‘interest’ in Hindi) came into being as a non-profit, voluntary organization in October 1980, set up in the Himalayan foothills of the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, INDIA. RUCHI is legally registered under Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860. Presently, RUCHI head office is located in a new complex called the Technology Resource Centre (TRC). The office a centre of technology transfer came into force, in the year 1994 as an extension program of CAPART, of the Ministry of Rural Development. The objective is to promote, develop and modify the rural technologies. Situated in the hills of Solan district in Bandh village, this centre has been the hub of all activities. RUCHI has focused through the years on promoting sustainable anthropocentric development through empowerment – by providing assistance and technical support to the underprivileged, showing them the way to minimize dependence and thus attain a better life – rather than just through charity. RUCHI’s founders felt there was a need for a committed workforce to initiate the process of development at the grassroots level, encouraging individual and community participation in the process.

Very good

16 verified experiences
7.7
Work
7.0
Social life
8.0
Camp & Food
7.8
Recommend
8.0

Ratings for the host organization, based on overall experiences.

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Bandh - Patta
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Quick Facts
  • Code: RC-MTV-AGR-07/26
  • Dates: 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2026
  • Age: 18 - 60 years
    • +420 EUR
    Additional fees are to be paid to the host organization in addition to the registration fees
  • Project Type: Permanent
  • Missions:
    Agriculture
    Manual work
    Social project
  • 🗣️ Project main languages: English
  • 🥗 Vegetarian food
  • Nearest station: Kalka
  • Nearest airport: DEL
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