For decades, the story of Indian agriculture was written in the language of industrial chemistry and sheer volume. The Green Revolution of the 1960s was a race to produce more food for people using many high-yield hybrids, as well as synthetic additions to food that would quickly eliminate hunger. However, an entirely different revolution is now taking place; Instead of being conducted in laboratories, it is happening in the kitchens of many homes in India. A large number of families are rejecting polished and processed foods and preferring to buy organic grains and pulses. This movement is not just a passing trend; It is a movement inspired by good health, which is changing the way traditional farmers grow crops in their fields.
This movement is based on bringing back heritage crops that were once a part of the Indian landscape. Traditional agriculture limited the Indian diet to only two or three hybrid forms of produce, such as wheat and rice, that could be grown for mass consumption. By re-introducing grains from earlier times, such as khapli wheat (emmer), red rice, and a wide variety of millets (i.e., ragi, jowar, and bajra), we are recapturing their historical importance as well as their nutritional value. Compared to traditional, chemically produced versions, organic heirloom grains typically have lower glycemic index numbers and much higher essential mineral and antioxidant levels. Similarly, traditional pulses – a major protein source for most of the Indian population – are experiencing a similar revival, moving away from previously prevalent chemical farming practices towards organically grown varieties like moong, arhar and urad. The lack of chemical residues on these beans provides consumers with both a pleasant taste and peace of mind knowing they are eating “honest”, chemical-free food.
Agriculture as a functional health care extension
The identity of the Indian farmer is changing with the trend of organic farming. While farmers are generally viewed as large-scale producers of goods, organic farmers are now seen as important contributors to public health. Consumers have become health conscious and are no longer just eating food; They are linking soil health to human health. The movement argues that by removing synthetic NPK (nitrogen, phosphate and potassium) fertilizers from the equation, healthy soils produce nutrient-rich nutrition, which acts as a natural deterrent against diseases resulting from unhealthy lifestyles.
Additionally, the movement promotes transparency in the “farm to plate” process of food production and consumer purchasing. Consumers will no longer accept the same polished grains; Instead, they need to understand how their food was produced and processed. Furthermore, the demand for transparency has led to the decentralization of the food supply chain, where small, sustainable farm clusters are replacing large, industrial-scale monoculture farms. Ultimately, this transparency in the production and consumption of food creates a better “last mile” relationship between urban consumers and rural producers, based on the shared goal of creating chemical-free lifestyles.
Environmental Resilience and Land Restoration
Switching to organic grains and pulses is not only a healthy decision for yourself and your family; It is also an essential ecological activity. Organic agriculture promises to solve many of the environmental challenges our planet currently faces. Traditional organic agriculture can be used to recreate the soil microbiome that has been damaged by traditional farming methods over the years, through the use of natural fertilizers such as manure, and by adding microbial soil amendments. With this approach, we can sequester carbon in soils to help the land recover and better manage the changes that accompany climate change. Additionally, many organic cereals (such as millet) and pulses (such as lentils) are naturally drought-tolerant and use much less water than others, making them suitable for India’s diverse, often water-stressed climate. From an economic perspective, while there is an initial increase in labor to begin farming organically, farmers will no longer need to rely on expensive non-organic seeds or chemicals – both of which drive farmers deeper into debt. By making organic products available to a growing population of health-conscious consumers, farmers will be able to charge the prices needed to support high-quality agriculture and dignified lives.
holistic transformation of the food system
The impact of this movement extends beyond the field and into the processing stage. The rise of organic foods has revived traditional methods such as stone grinding (Mill), wood pressed oil extraction, and Bilona method for preparing A2 Gir Cow Ghee. Unlike high-speed industrial milling and refining processes, which generate extreme heat and strip grains and oils of their natural bran, fiber and essential nutrients, these slow, traditional techniques work at a controlled pace to preserve the food’s natural oils, micronutrients and enzymatic vitality. Ultimately, the rise of organic grains and pulses in Indian households indicates that the country is moving beyond the “feed the stomach” philosophy to a “nourish the body” era. By choosing purity over polish, the Indian consumer is effectively encouraging a return to a more balanced, sustainable and traditional farming system – where the health of the land and the health of the people are considered inseparable.
The author is MD, Bharat Vedika – A Patel Venture
Published on February 21, 2026
