Revising Rural Prosperity: The Impact of 5F Model on Amplifying Small-Scale Farmers' Earnings

In the heart of Sonipat, Haryana, the Chidana Centre has become a beacon of hope for smallholder farmers across India. This living laboratory, run by the Agriliv Research Foundation (ARF), has been the testing ground for the 5F Model, a revolutionary integrated livelihood framework that promises a sustainable future for rural communities.

Recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), the ARF developed the 5F Model in 2010 as a response to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. The model, built upon five interconnected pillars - Farm, Food, Fodder, Fuel, and Fertilizer - has proven its adaptability to a wide range of operational scales, from 6-acre farms to more common 2-acre marginal farms.

The 5F Model has made a tangible impact on the farming landscape. By fostering a closed-loop system, it has minimized dependency on external and often volatile markets. This closed-loop system has been demonstrated at the Chidana Centre, where resources flow in a cascading sequence, starting with dairy operation, biogas plant, vermicomposting, farm, and back to dairy.

One of the key benefits of the 5F Model is the reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers. By substituting LPG with biogas, it has led to a measurable decrease in CO2 emissions. The ARF's biogas plant at the Chidana Centre, with a capacity of 85 m3, is designed for mass production of vermicompost through purchased cow dung.

Farmers adopting the 5F Model have reaped significant financial rewards. Annual income and savings ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 21 lakh have been demonstrated, depending on the scale of the operation. The pilot unit at the Chidana Centre, consisting of 10 dairy cows, 6 acres of cultivable land, an 85 m3 biogas plant, and a vermicomposting system, demonstrated a combined annual income and savings of approximately Rs 21 lakh.

The 5F Model has also fostered new opportunities for women and youth. Women's Self-Help Groups have been engaged in compost enterprises, and youth have been trained in animal health, agribusiness, and enterprise management. Farmers trained at the Chidana Centre have been taught skills such as multilayer farming, cow rearing, biogas plant operation, vermicompost production, and organic input preparation.

The total value derived from the 5F Model is not from a single activity but from the synergy of all five components. The model generates economic value by reducing dependence on costly chemical inputs and cutting down on expenses for monthly LPG cylinders.

The 5F Model stands as a powerful testament to the idea that by harmonizing traditional wisdom with modern scientific research, India can forge a prosperous and sustainable future for its rural communities. Over 1,500 farmers from Sonipat and surrounding districts have been trained at the Chidana Centre between 2015 and 2025, and the impact of the 5F Model continues to ripple across India's farming landscape.

Revising Rural Prosperity: The Impact of 5F Model on Amplifying Small-Scale Farmers' Earnings