Farmers troubled by expensive fertilizers in Saran adopt 40-year-old method, shelter sheep in field - Saran farmers revive old method amid expensive fertilizers

Updated: Fri, 17 Oct 2025 03:16 (IST) Worried about the rising prices of fertilizers in Saran, farmers have adopted a 40-year-old method. They graze sheep in their fields, increasing soil fertility and reducing the need for fertilizers. Farmers believe that this method will be useful in dealing with the inflation of fertilizers and sheep farmers will also benefit from it. Farmers troubled by expensive chemical fertilizers have adopted indigenous solutions. Photo: Jagran Samvad Sahayak, Jalalpur (Saran). Farmers of Saran district have found a solution to the problems they face due to expensive chemical fertilizers by returning to their old traditions. Now, flocks of sheep are being herded in the fields again, as was the case four decades ago. This method not only provides financial relief to the farmers, but also rapidly improves the soil fertility of the fields. Remove Advertisement Only Read News Sheep herder Rajesh van Deoria tells that four of us graze sheep together. In return, the farmers give us enough food and the sheep spend the night in their fields. This method is as effective today as it was 40 years ago. No rate increase, no complaints. In rural areas, this is called ‘sheep herding’. The feces and urine of sheep provide natural strength to the fields, which even expensive compost fertilizers cannot provide. Dr. Jitendra Chandra Chandola, agricultural scientist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Manjhi, says that nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are found in abundance in the feces and urine of sheep. It is not only organic fertilizer, but also an elixir that improves the soil structure. The experience of farmers also proves this. Samhota farmers Raju Singh, Kamal Singh, Ganesh Singh, Umanath Singh, Shivnath Singh and Sanjay Singh say that last year sheep sat in their fields. To date, that farm produces excellent crops without any chemical fertilizers, and its effects can be felt for at least two years. In the age of expensive chemical fertilizers, this indigenous method saves the pockets of farmers and rejuvenates the soil. The return of sheep not only gives a boost to natural farming but can also be called a desi version of a green revolution. This tradition has become a perfect example of economic and environmental benefits for farmers in the modern era.