Balrampur – Ekoplaza

Organic farms in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh

Balrampur is a city and municipality in the Balrampur region of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located on the bank of the Rapti River and is the regional headquarters of the Balrampur region. It was established on May 25, 1997, after the partition of the Gonda region. The region is bordered by the Siddharth Nagar and Shrawasti regions to the east and west, while the Gonda region lies to the south. The northern side of the region is shared with Nepal.

Fairtrade Certified Balrampur Project

Nature Bio Foods' Balrampur project is Fairtrade certified, allowing workers and farmers to earn fairer prices for their organic crops and have control over their future. Our Balrampur project is in line with Fairtrade's approach to empowering farmers and workers to take more control over their lives and invest in their future. We fully support Fairtrade standards and its associated standards, and we are proud to integrate them into our business practices.

When you see the Fairtrade mark on our products, you can trust that we meet internationally agreed standards that have been independently audited. We prioritize fairness and ethical practices in all aspects of our business, and our commitment to Fairtrade is an essential part of that.

We believe in strengthening the position of farmers and workers. Therefore, they have a strong voice at every level of trading. From managing their farms to contributing to our discussion forums, we are committed to providing an equal platform for all. Adhering to the principles of Fairtrade is not just a matter of compliance; it is a core value that serves as a guideline for our company.

Fairtrade is more than just a certification for us; it's a way of doing business that puts people first. We have followed Fairtrade practices and taken measures that ensure better prices and working conditions for farmers and workers. In this way we contribute to a fairer deal for the people who work hard to produce our products.

Sustainable Rice Platform

SRP Certified Balrampur Project

Nature Bio Foods, a leading organic food company, has taken steps through the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) to address the challenges facing the global rice sector. As a member of SRP, Nature Bio Foods is committed to promoting sustainable rice production practices that increase food security, support rural livelihoods and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

In the Balrampur project we are working with smallholder farmers to adopt SRP methods. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as direct-seeded rice, the company aims to reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or improving crop yields. Through training and capacity building, we also want to empower women farmers and promote gender equality in the agricultural sector.

The approach to sustainable rice production is not only good for the environment, but also supports the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. By enabling farmers to adopt sustainable practices and access high-quality markets for their products, the company helps increase their incomes and build resilient communities.

Balrampur Project certified by Biosuisse Organic and Naturland

Nature Bio Foods (NBF) is committed to promoting organic farming practices that benefit both farmers and the environment. In our project in Balrampur, we enable Biosuisse Organic by providing farmers with the necessary knowledge, training, and resources to comply with Biosuisse’s rigorous organic farming standards. We work closely with farmers to implement organic farming techniques that promote soil health, conserve biodiversity, and reduce the use of synthetic inputs. By enabling Biosuisse Organic, we help farmers in Balrampur to cultivate high-quality, organic produce that meets the demands of consumers who value healthy, sustainable food options.

Organic Farms of Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh

Balrampur is a city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, with several historical monuments and temples. The city is also a major center for the sugar industry, with several sugar mills located in the region. Agriculture is a significant contributor to the local economy, with farmers growing crops such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane. In recent years, Balrampur has emerged as a hub for organic farming, with several companies and organizations working to promote sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture practices in the region. In the north of the district is situated the Shivalics ranges of the Himalayas which is called the Tarai Region.

Agricultural Characteristics

Soil Profile

The project area has primarily two types of soil – “Matiyar” or clay and “Dumat” or loam. The Matiyar soil, which is a hard clay soil, is highly fertile and ideal for rice cultivation. On the other hand, the Dumat or loam soil is also fertile and suitable for various types of crops. As a result of the fertile soil types in the project area, the crop yields are high, making it an ideal location for agriculture.

Dumat or loam: Dumat or loam soil, found in the project area, is fertile and well-suited for a variety of crops. It provides a balanced combination of clay, silt, and sand particles, allowing for good water drainage and nutrient retention.

Matiyar soil: Matiyar soil, on the other hand, is a hard clay soil known for its high fertility, making it an excellent choice for rice cultivation. Both soil types contribute to the project area’s agricultural success and high crop yields.

Climate Condition

Balrampur district is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which comes under the northwestern Plain zone. The district has a subtropical climate, with high temperature variation between summer and winter. The temperature varies from around 5°C in winter to 43°C in summer. The maximum rainfall occurs in July and August. Hot waves occur in May and cold waves occur in January. The average annual rainfall in the district is around 1100mm. The forest cover in the district is around 18.15% of the total geographical area, which is dominated by northern tropical mixed types of forest. There is wide variation in soil, topography, climate, and habitat, which makes the district unique and contributes to the variability in flora and fauna. The district is also known for its rich horticulture heritage and genetic diversity.

Temp.

Minimum

Maximum

5°C

(Dec-Jan)

43°C

(May-June)

Humidity

Relative Humidity

89%

Rainfall

Average Rainfall

1100 mm (Average)

Seasons

There are mainly three seasons

Summer

(Mar-June)

Rainy

(July-Sep)

Winter

(Oct-Feb)

Farm Water Availability

Water availability for farming in Balrampur district mainly relies on rainfall, as most farmers do not have access to canal irrigation water. However, a limited number of farmers have access to canal water which comes from the Chitourgarh and Kohargaddy dams. Additionally, some farmers rely on tube wells for water supply, which can be either privately or government-owned.

Nature of Farmers

The farmers in Balrampur project area are known for their cooperative nature and their willingness to adopt new and innovative farming techniques that can help them reduce their production costs and increase their incomes. While many of the farmers may have limited formal education and may not have easy access to electronic media, a new generation of farmers is emerging that is embracing technology and using smartphones to access information and resources to improve their farming practices. Despite these changes, the farming community in Balrampur remains deeply rooted in traditional practices and cultural values, which continue to shape the local agricultural landscape.

Growing Conditions

The Rice-Wheat cropping system is predominant in the region, with average rice yields between 2600-2900 kg/ha and wheat yields between 2800-2950 kg/ha. The Kharif season sees the cultivation of rice, maize, pigeon pea, and moong bean crops. In the post-rainy (Rabi) season, residual soil moisture is utilized to grow crops such as wheat, lentil, mustard, pigeon pea, sesame, and groundnut with one or two supplemental irrigations. The growing period lasts between 180-210 days per year, and with irrigation, a third crop can be taken during summer. Sugarcane is an important cash crop in the region due to the favorable climate.

Crop Details

During the Kharif season, farmers in the Balrampur region typically grow a variety of crops including basmati rice, Kalanamak rice, and hybrid varieties of rice along with maize and green pea. In the Rabi season, the main crops cultivated are wheat, pulses such as lentils, flaxseed, coriander, and other related crops.

Rabi

Wheat
Mustured
Lentil
Flexseed
Coriander

Kharif

Non-Basmati
Kala Namak Paddy
Basmati Paddy
Peagon Pea
Maize

Statistics

NBF Supply Chain

History of The Area

Ethnic Characteristics Of The Area

Culture Of The Area

Transport Modes to Reach Balrampur

Balrampur districts of Uttar Pradesh State is a part of Devipatan division as well as the historic Awadh regions. Balrampur can be reached by various modes of transportation.

By Train

Balrampur has its own railway station which is well-connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Lucknow. There are regular trains from Balrampur to other major cities in India.

By Road

Balrampur is well-connected by road to major cities in Uttar Pradesh and nearby states. National Highway 730 passes through Balrampur, making it easily accessible by road. One can also take a bus or hire a taxi from nearby cities like Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi to reach Balrampur.

By Air

The nearest airport to Balrampur is Lucknow airport, which is approximately 185 km away. From Lucknow, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Balrampur.

Elevation

It has an average elevation of 105 metres (344 ft).

River

The Rapti River’s flow has great seasonal variation because the river lacks sources in high elevation glaciers and snowfields to buffer pre-monsoon drought.

Soil

Major Soils found in the region are Loam Soils (Tarai Soils) mainly Sandy Loam and Clay Loam.

Crop

Balrampur is a lowland area where small lentil pulses are cultivated as cash crops. Five different types of small lentil varieties are found here.

Our Impact

Impact of our Farmers

Farmers employ various methods to enhance soil fertility, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and application of compost. By reducing fuel-intensive tillage, less soil organic matter is lost to the atmosphere, leading to carbon sequestration. This reduces greenhouse gases and helps to reverse climate change. Moreover, reduced tillage can improve soil structure and decrease the possibility of soil erosion.

Difference our People are Making

Our organization uses several processes such as converting land from conventional management to organic management, managing the entire surrounding system to ensure biodiversity and sustainability, and crop production with the use of alternative sources of nutrients such as crop rotation, residue management, and organic manures. We provide complete biological inputs to our crops.

We also manage weeds and pests through better management practices, physical and cultural means, and our teams supervise and manage these activities. This approach makes us an integral contributor to the cause of sustainability.

Contribution by our Customers

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of food safety and environmental issues, and their concern for their own health, the environment, and worldwide crises has risen exponentially. Organic agriculture has always been a production option followed by a few farmers worldwide, but now it has become the only option for many consumers. Simply by consuming organic produce, consumers are contributing to the overall health of the planet and creating an impact.