Who is a Materra Master Farmer?

To build local and contextual regen programs, Materra has identified a group of farmers in the clusters we work with, in western India — Master Farmers. These are farmers who are already doing amazing things in the field— from creating botanical pesticides to intercropping peas and hyacinths in between cotton to boost soil health and better manage pests. By partnering with them, we can learn about successful local practices, crop mixes and input recipes or help them act as local mentors for other farmers.

Farmers listen to and trust other farmers first, so partnering with master farmers is key to help demonstrate to other local farmers how shifting practices will achieve beneficial outcomes  over time. In addition to identifying these farming star, our on-ground team visit our farmers twice a month providing expert guidance throughout the season with the help of workshops and  in-field demonstrations, helping reassure farmers when trialling a new input or practice.

Ranvirsinh Vaghela is a Master Farmer using his experience in organic farming to guide local farmers in implementing better practices on their own fields. He’s an accountant turned farmer who now grows cauliflower, wheat, sweet corn, other crops, and of course, cotton.

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Atmaram Prajapati is part of the first cohort of farmers tha we started to work with. Always wearing a knitted beanie, he's one of the most proactive farmer willing to learn and try out new practises in his field.

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Learn more about our regenerative program here.