A farmer in the Sikar district of India’s Rajasthan has set an impressive example of innovation in agriculture by developing a unique variety of multi-coloured maize rich in nutrition and antioxidants.
Sanjay Yadav, a farmer from Piprali village, has shown new paths to self-sufficiency through natural and organic farming. In 2012, he completely stopped using chemical fertilisers and pesticides and adopted natural and organic cultivation methods.
Instead of fertilisers and germicides, he used traditional methods such as home-made compost and drip irrigation, which preserved the soil’s fertility and produced crops free from toxic effects. These crops were sold at higher prices in the market.
A turning point came when he attended a workshop at the agricultural research centre in Fathpur, where he received training on developing hybrid and improved seeds. During this time, a new idea occurred to him.
According to Sanjay Yadav, he thought: "Why not develop maize that is not only unique in appearance but also rich in nutrition?" He mixed seeds of different varieties of maize – white, yellow, light red and deep red – to create a new multi-coloured maize. The ears of this maize contain grains of white, yellow and red.
Along with its visual appeal, this maize is rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients. Sanjay Yadav sold it directly in the market, where one ear of maize was sold for up to 200 Indian rupees.
He has also filed a patent application for this new variety, and his aim is to provide these seeds to other farmers so that they too can increase their income.
