Most of India's farmlands, particularly those in the vegetable belts, have undergone significant change in recent years. Mulching covers, or rows covered with plastic, are becoming increasingly popular among farmers as an alternative to bare soil beds. This transformation is more than just aesthetic; it is a calculated move based on cost reductions, weed management, and water efficiency. However, how does the switch appear from the ground up?

In just one season, this blog tells the accurate tale of a farmer in rural Maharashtra who switched from traditional bare-soil farming to using agricultural mulching covers. It also discusses how this change affected productivity, input costs, and farm management.

The Background: Struggling with Unpredictable Inputs

Sunil Patil, a vegetable grower from Nashik, had cultivated capsicum, tomatoes, and okra for over a decade. While his farming practices were consistent, the weather and cost of inputs were not.

• Irrigation frequency increased during dry spells.
  
  
• Weed growth surged during monsoon, pushing labor costs.
  
  
• Fertilizer efficiency dropped due to leaching and soil runoff
  
  

“I realized I was fighting the same battle every season: more water, labor, and lower margins,” said Sunil. His solution came not from a consultant but from a neighbor who had used mulching film over his cucumber plot and harvested early with better fruit quality.

Intrigued, Sunil decided to try the same on a one-acre tomato plot for the upcoming kharif season.

Choosing the Right Mulching Cover

Sunil began looking up information online and contrasting various sources. He needed something more robust and UV-resistant because he had seen ripped plastic sheets on other farms. Ultimately, he decided on a 30-micron silver-black mulch film that worked with drip irrigation and was rated for four to five months of open exposure.

He ordered the Mulching Paper Best Quality Mulching Sheet, with the width and durability he required, from an agri-platform. In five days, right before the transplanting phase, he obtained a roll of 400 meters at a fair price.

• UV-treated film to withstand monsoon heat.
  
  
• Silver side up to reflect sunlight and repel pests
  
  

With the assistance of two workers, mulching took about a full day, and the drip pipes underneath had to be carefully aligned. However, everything went smoothly, and the tomato seedlings were moved into tidy, pristine planting holes in less than a day.

Early Stage Changes: Water, Weeds, and Roots

Within the first three weeks, Sunil began to see differences compared to his uncovered beds:

• Water retention increased noticeably, allowing him to irrigate once every 3-4 days instead of daily
  
  
• The usual flush of weeds that appeared during early rains never showed up.
  
  
• The plants looked visibly firmer, with consistent stem growth and leaf color.
  
  

This wasn’t a coincidence. The mulch film stabilized the soil’s microclimate, reducing surface temperature variation and protecting root zones from nutrient loss and crusting.

"Before, I used to spot dry patches in my beds. The soil remains uniformly moist—even in peak sun hours."

Mid-Season Benefits: Reduced Labor and Fertilizer Use

At around 45 days after transplanting, Sunil noted a few more changes that were previously hard to control:

• Herbicide usage dropped to zero on the mulched plot
  
  
• Fertilizer application through the drip line was more efficient, reducing wastage.
  
  
• Fewer pest issues were seen on the mulched plot, likely due to the reflective surface.
  
  

Compared to his other plots, the mulched rows required 60% less labor for weeding and soil aeration tasks. Fertilizer doses were reduced by nearly 25% over the cycle, yet plant performance didn’t drop; and it improved.

One unique benefit was that the fruits stayed cleaner. The tomatoes matured without developing rot patches or ground stains since the mulch prevented soil splash during irrigation and rain.

End of Season: Yield, Cost Recovery, and Next Steps

The results were more than just visible at harvest, they were measurable. Here are the numbers compared to his previous season without mulch:

Sunil could recover the mulch film's cost in a single season, thanks to better yield, less input usage, and reduced operational hassle. His biggest takeaway wasn’t just the savings; it was how the film simplified how he managed the entire plot.

Lessons Learned from the Transition

Sunil shared a few insights from his experience that can help other farmers considering the switch:

• Choose micron and width based on your crop: While 25-micron may work for leafy vegetables, fruit-bearing crops need 30–40-micron sheets for durability
  
  
• Install drip lines before laying mulch: It’s harder to correct once the film is down.
  
  
• Avoid making wide planting holes: Tight, round cuts reduce the chance of weeds popping up.
  
  
• Store leftover film properly: Rolls degrade in the sun and moisture; wrap and store them under cover.
  
  

He also noted that mulch performance was better when the bed preparation was done carefully. Uneven beds caused water to pool under the sheet, which could risk fungal development.

Moving Forward: Plans to Expand

Inspired by the outcomes, Sunil intends to try mulching onions and all his tomato and chili fields the following season. Additionally, he is investigating biodegradable mulch films, particularly for crops with short growth cycles, like spinach and coriander, where it can be difficult to remove plastic.

“I used to think mulch was just an extra cost. Now, I see it as a foundation—like irrigation or fertilizer. Once you set it up right, the field manages itself.”

Are you thinking about converting your farm to mulch? Before placing your order, check crop compatibility, size, and micron. How you use the product—and how early you start—has a more significant influence than the product alone. Opportunities can occasionally arise above a cover on the ground.