While working in India he was generally considered a pathologist; this more than likely being the reason for his consistent observations of the value of compost applications being an increase in health (of the whole system).

After spending considerable time learning from Indian peasants and the pests present in their soil, he called these two his professors.

He is considered by many in the English-speaking world to have been, along with Eve Balfour, one of the key advocates of ancient Indian techniques of organic agriculture.

From 1924 to 1931, Howard was Director of the Institute of Plant Industry, Indore, and Agricultural Adviser to States in Central India and Rajputana.

[3][4] Howard worked in India as agricultural adviser[5] and was in charge of a government research farm at Indore.

[3][7] Gabrielle was herself a professionally trained and competent botanist,[3] and indeed the contribution of both women to organic farming is said to be underestimated.

[7] Howard observed and came to support traditional Indian farming practices over conventional agricultural science.

He went on to further document Indian organic farming techniques, and spread its knowledge through the UK-based Soil Association, and the Rodale Institute in the US.

[8][9] Indeed, Howard is grouped, along with Rudolf Steiner,[10] Sir Robert McCarrison and Richard St. Barbe Baker, as one of the key progenitors of the Western organic agriculture movement.

[10][11][12] (However he says, in the Preface to An Agricultural Testament, "Some attention has also been paid to the Bio-Dynamic methods of agriculture in Holland and in Great Britain, but I remain unconvinced that the disciples of Rudolf Steiner can offer any real explanation of natural laws or have yet provided any practical examples which demonstrate the value of their theories.