Tag: Dairy Farming

Gurpreet Singh

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Gurpreet Singh: Spearheading a Revolution in Sustainable Agriculture 

Within the sprawling district of Bathinda, Punjab, lies the largest village in the region – Mehraj. Here, in this tranquil setting, Gurpreet Singh embarked on a remarkable journey into the world of agriculture. Born into a family with a deep-rooted connection to the land, Gurpreet’s journey into farming was a natural progression. However, what sets him apart is his dedication to organic farming and sustainable agriculture practices. 

Gurpreet’s foray into farming commenced in 2009, when he decided to take up the mantle of his family’s agricultural legacy. His father had already been tilling the fertile Punjab soil for years, and it was under his guidance that Gurpreet nurtured his passion for farming. He cultivates a variety of crops on their 35-acre expanse, including Paddy, potatoes, mung beans, and mustard. 

The Organic Farming Challenge: Patience and Promise 

The turning point in Gurpreet’s agricultural journey came in 2017 when he made the pivotal decision to transition to organic farming. This marked the beginning of his quest to cultivate crops in harmony with nature, without the use of synthetic chemicals or pesticides. While he admits that the transition was not without challenges, he firmly believes that organic farming is the way forward. Currently he does organic farming on 3 acres of his land. 

When discussing his shift to organic farming, Gurpreet emphasizes that while the initial years may not be as financially rewarding as conventional farming, the long-term benefits are immense. According to him, organic farming begins to yield significant profits by the fourth year. Despite the initial hardships, Gurpreet remains resolute in his commitment to take organic farming to a commercial level. 

One of the driving forces behind Gurpreet’s dedication to organic farming is the increasing awareness among consumers about the importance of healthy, pesticide-free produce. People are willing to pay a premium for organically grown crops, and this growing demand provides a promising market for farmers like Gurpreet. 

Gurpreet’s Ventures into Dairy 

His journey isn’t limited to just farming; he also delved into the dairy business, with a herd of 25 to 30 animals at one point. However, realizing that the profit margins in this sector were limited, he shifted his focus back to organic farming and other agricultural endeavors. Currently, he maintains 15 animals, including cows and buffaloes, to meet his household requirements. 

Championing Sustainability: Stopping Crop Residue Burning and Saving Water 

One of the most remarkable aspects of Gurpreet Singh’s farming practices is his commitment to environmental sustainability. He actively refrains from the burning of crop residue, a practice that has been a major contributor to air pollution and environmental degradation in Punjab. Additionally, he has been a pioneer in implementing the direct-seeded rice (DSR) method, which significantly reduces water consumption compared to traditional methods. 

Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR): A Water-Saving Innovation 

The conventional practice of flooding rice fields consumes vast amounts of water, contributing to the alarming drop in water levels in Punjab. Gurpreet’s adoption of the DSR method, where rice seeds are directly sown into the soil, has achieved an impressive 80% success rate. His dedication to water conservation has earned him recognition from both agricultural institutions and fellow farmers. 

Empowering Fellow Farmers: The Customer Affairs Center 

Gurpreet Singh’s commitment to sustainable agriculture extends beyond his own farm. He operates a customer affairs center where he offers advanced farming techniques and services to fellow farmers. Services like the lucky seeder, silage plant, and vacuum planter have not only proven profitable for him but have also empowered other farmers to adopt more sustainable practices. He also provides knowledge on sustainable yet profitable practices within 25 to 30 Km of his village free of cost to the fellow farmers.   

Guided by Agricultural Institutions and Community Support 

His journey has been supported and guided by institutions like Punjab Agricultural University and Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bathinda. Gurpreet is also an active participant in various farmer groups that promote knowledge sharing and mutual support. He is a member of a group spanning across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, where farmers assist one another in overcoming challenges. 

Recognitions and Accolades: Celebrating Excellence 

Gurpreet’s innovative approaches in agriculture have garnered widespread recognition. He stands adorned with numerous accolades, including prestigious awards from esteemed institutions such as Punjab Agricultural University, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bathinda, and the Khetibadi Vibhag. Notably, his exceptional contributions were celebrated on both the national and international stages, as he received honors from ICAR in Hyderabad in December 2022 and April 2021. His accomplishments extend beyond awards; he was notably conferred with the ‘Best Farmer’ Award during the International Conference ICSCI 2022, a testament to his exceptional dedication. 

Furthermore, Gurpreet Singh’s pioneering efforts in crop residue management, including his steadfast commitment to eschew burning practices, have earned him widespread acclaim. His sustainable practices have attracted the attention of numerous news outlets, further highlighting the remarkable impact he has made in the realm of agriculture. 

Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Selling Quality Products 

Gurpreet sells his farm products to Punjab Agro, and his high-quality wheat commands double rates from local customers who appreciate the superior quality. Moreover, he supplies aromatic Basmati rice to neighboring Haryana, reflecting his commitment to quality and sustainability. 

Words of Wisdom: Starting Small and Scaling Up 

Gurpreet Singh has a valuable piece of advice for aspiring farmers. He suggests starting small when adopting new farming techniques. Experiment on a smaller portion of your land first, and if it proves successful, expand it to the entire farm. This approach not only saves time but also minimizes risk and costs. 

 Gurpreet’s Vision: Taking Organic Farming to New Heights 

As he looks to the future, Gurpreet Singh envisions taking natural organic farming to new heights. He is passionate about educating fellow farmers about the importance of abandoning crop burning practices and implementing innovative methods to combat the depletion of water resources in Punjab. 

Conclusion

In the heart of Punjab, Gurpreet Singh’s journey from conventional farming to a champion of organic, eco-friendly methods serve as an inspiration for farmers across the region and beyond. With his dedication and vision, Gurpreet Singh is not only securing a prosperous future for his farm but also contributing to the preservation of Punjab’s precious natural resources. 

Pradeep Singh

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Pradeep Singh: From Corporate Success to Dairy Farming Pioneer

In the heart of Rohtak, there resides a man who dared to break the mold of corporate success to follow his heart’s calling. Mr. Pradeep Singh, a native of this village, embarked on a journey that not only transformed his life but also left an indelible mark on his community. His story is one of passion, dedication, and a commitment to reviving the roots of his homeland.

Pradeep Singh’s journey began with a simple thought – a desire to contribute to his own community, where farming had always been an integral part of life. The lush fields and fertile lands of Rohtak inspired him to spread awareness about dairy farming and help fellow farmers overcome the challenges in this field.

After completing his MBA, Pradeep spent a decade in the corporate world, working for the renowned company Havells. However, he soon realized that his deep connection to his native place and his passion for agriculture called him back. He felt a profound need to do more for his community.

In December 2018, he founded “Bagdi Milk Power Milk Processing Enterprise,” a venture dedicated to transforming the dairy farming landscape in Rohtak. The enterprise produces a range of dairy products, including Badam Dudh, Lassi, Mava Barfi, Gulab Jamun, Kheer, and Paneer Pakode, all made from the highest quality milk.

Pradeep Singh’s mission goes beyond just producing dairy products; it’s about empowering the uneducated and unskilled youth of his region. He provides training to local farmers, teaching them how to obtain nutritious milk from buffaloes and what should be fed to the animals to maximize their health and milk production. Currently, approximately 80 farmers are associated with him, receiving fair prices for their produce.

What sets Pradeep Singh’s enterprise apart is his commitment to providing clean and healthy products to consumers. He owns cows, but for buffaloes, he collaborates with local farmers and educates them on best practices. This approach ensures that both the farmers and consumers benefit from his venture.

Not only does Pradeep involve farmers, but he also supports local artisans who provide him with traditional “mitti ke bartan” (clay utensils). These artisans are integral members of his farmer groups, helping maintain the authenticity of the products he offers. He utilizes modern machinery, such as a Mawa making machine and milk chillers, to ensure the highest quality and hygiene standards.

With 17 direct employees, 12 of whom contribute to the farms and five dedicated to producing ghee, Pradeep Singh has created meaningful employment opportunities in his community. His dedication to quality is reflected in the price of his ghee, which costs around Rs. 1500 per kg (cow) and Rs. 1200 per kg (buffalo), with additional shipping charges if needed.

Pradeep’s younger brother is also actively involved in the business, and the entire family supports his vision and efforts. Together, they have become a symbol of community-driven entrepreneurship in Rohtak.

Pradeep Singh’s journey has not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of dairy farming and milk processing. He received awards from prestigious institutions like the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Pusa, Delhi, and Haryana Agricultural University in 2019.

Looking ahead, Pradeep Singh has ambitious plans for the future. He aims to expand his online presence and make a wider range of products available to customers, including sunflower oil. His unwavering commitment to his community and his dedication to quality have transformed him from a corporate success story to a dairy farming pioneer, revitalizing the farming landscape in Rohtak and inspiring many to follow their hearts and make a difference in their communities.

Navdeep Singh Virk

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Navdeep Singh Virk’s Journey: From 10 Black and White Holstein Friesian (HF) Cows to a Successful Dairy Farm of Red and White HF Cows 

Introduction

In the heart of Punjab’s Patiala district, in a village named Shergarh, a story of determination, innovation, and dedication unfolds. Navdeep Singh Virk, a passionate farmer, embarked on his journey in 2012 with just ten cows. Over the years, he has not only transformed his small dairy farm into a thriving enterprise but has also become a pioneer in promoting the European breed of Red and White Holstein Friesian (HF) cows in India. Navdeep’s success emphasizes the importance of genetic diversity, immunity, and high milk production.

The Beginning

Navdeep Singh Virk’s journey began with a modest herd of ten black and white Holstein Friesian cows. His vision was clear – to provide the best care for his cows and to continually improve their breed. To achieve this, he made the bold decision to import semen from Europe, specifically of the Red and white Holstein Friesian, which are known for their superior milk production and resilience. These Red and white Holstein Friesian breeds are distinct from the conventional A1/A2 milk cows, offering unique advantages. These cows have different names in different countries. These are known as Ayrshire in Scotland, Dutch in Pakistan, and Red and White HF in India.

Advantages of Red and White Holstein Breeds

One of the primary advantages of Red and white Holstein breeds, as Navdeep discovered, lies in their robust immunity. These cows are inherently less susceptible to diseases, making them a valuable asset for any dairy farmer. Moreover, they can endure harsh weather conditions, including temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius, without the need for additional cooling systems like foggers.

Navdeep’s herd now consists of 22 animals, including two bulls. Semen shortage, which is a common challenge for dairy farmers, is effectively managed by Navdeep through the use of his own produced bulls. After three years, a bull becomes capable of serving as a breeding sire. This not only ensures a sustainable source of semen but also allows Navdeep to sell high-quality bulls at better rates than cows. He has sold one bull, two milking cows and one heifer to the Animal Husbandry Department, Sikkim.

Expanding Horizons

Navdeep Singh Virk’s dedication to his farm extends beyond the borders of Punjab. He supplies semen to farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar. His reputation for quality semen has even caught the attention of semen banks, who source semen from his farm. Navdeep’s commitment to breeding excellence has created a ripple effect in the dairy farming community.

Genetics and Milk Production

Navdeep firmly believes that milk production is heavily influenced by genetics. Consequently, he does not purchase cows from outside sources. Instead, he relies on careful breeding to maintain and improve the genetic quality of his herd. The result is a remarkable range of milk production, spanning from 7,000 to 13,000 liters per cow.

Navdeep’s dedication to genetic diversity also extends to preventing inbreeding. He maintains meticulous records to ensure that no inbreeding occurs within his farm, preserving the health and vitality of his cows.

Nutrition and Diet

To maximize milk production, Navdeep employs the services of a nutritionist who formulates balanced diets for his cows. On average, his cows produce 35 liters of milk per day, with some reaching an impressive 45 liters. The nutritionist takes into account factors like body weight and milk production to tailor diets to each cow’s specific needs.

Sustainable Practices

Navdeep’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of his farm. From the careful selection of Red and White HF breeds to the precise diets provided to his cows, he places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility. He also practices silage preparation with a focus on starch, green foliage, and protein content to ensure his cows receive the best nutrition.

Water and Comfort

Navdeep’s farm goes beyond just meeting the basic needs of his animals. He has set up tanks, bowls, and pools where fresh water is added daily. Cows have the freedom to spend time in the pool, which not only cools their bodies but also keeps their udders clean. This attention to the comfort of his animals is proof of Navdeep’s commitment to their well-being.


A Message to Farmers
Navdeep Singh Virk’s journey from ten cows to a thriving dairy farm is an inspiring tale for farmers across India. His success offers several valuable lessons:
Diversify Your Breeds: Navdeep encourages farmers to consider different breeds based on their specific conditions and budget. High milk production and immunity should be top priorities.
Start Small: Beginning with a small number of cows and gradually expanding is a wise strategy. Investing in cows that provide at least 25 liters of milk production is a good starting point.
Embrace Innovation: Navdeep’s use of imported semen and his emphasis on genetic diversity are key factors in his success. Farmers should not be afraid to adopt innovative practices.
Focus on Sustainability: Sustainable practices, such as careful nutrition planning and environmental responsibility, are crucial for long-term success in dairy farming.
Share Knowledge: Navdeep’s vision includes educating others about the benefits of these breeds.

Conclusion

Navdeep Singh Virk’s remarkable journey from a small dairy farm to a thriving enterprise shows his excellence in dairy farming. His story is an inspiration to farmers everywhere, offering valuable insights into the benefits of genetic diversity, immunity, and high milk production. Navdeep’s vision for the future includes expanding his farm’s capacity and further promoting the advantages of Red and White HF breeds. His message to fellow farmers is clear: adapt to changing conditions, focus on sustainability, and invest wisely for a prosperous future in dairy farming.

Gangaram

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Gangaram: A Journey from Education to Sustainable Farming

In the serene village Kalakh of Jaipur, Rajasthan, nestled amidst the landscapes of India, Mr. Gangaram embarked on a remarkable journey of transformation, transitioning from a career in education to becoming a staunch advocate for sustainable farming practices. His story is a testament to his unwavering commitment to promoting organic farming and fostering a culture of agricultural research and innovation in his community.

Before dedicating himself entirely to farming, Mr. Gangaram owned a school in his village from 2000 until 2016. In 2018, he handed over the reins to his brother to pursue his lifelong passion for agriculture. Recognizing the importance of knowledge sharing, Gangaram actively encourages trainees from various universities to visit his farm, providing them with valuable insights into sustainable farming practices.

Gangaram’s journey into sustainable farming began with formal training at HITC Horticulture in Durgapur and attending Organic Kheti training programs. Inspired by his agricultural background, he established the Seport Organic Farm and Agro Research Centre in November 2017.
Today, Gangaram’s farm is a thriving testament to his dedication. He cultivates a diverse range of crops, including cucumber, melons, strawberries, broccoli, figs, and various types of lettuce. In addition to these crops, he also grows seven different types of green fodder.

Gangaram’s journey into organic farming was fueled by a pivotal moment in 2012 when he read an article about the hazardous chemicals sprayed on crops in Punjab, leading to health issues. This revelation ignited his determination to pursue organic farming and promote chemical-free agriculture. In 2016, a visit to Mini Israel in Jaipur further solidified his commitment to farming by witnessing the success of over 500 polyhouses.

On August 28, 2017, Gangaram commenced his journey into polyhouse farming, having received training and guidance from experts in the field. He conducted extensive research, consulting with his family, who shared his agricultural background, before venturing into farming. Continuously seeking to enhance his knowledge and expertise, Gangaram emphasizes, “I took various pieces of training and to date don’t miss a chance of learning about farming.”

Gangaram’s dedication to sustainable farming extends beyond the boundaries of his polyhouse. He also breeds fish, raises Avishan sheep (10 for meat), and maintains a dairy farm with three Gir cows and five Murrah buffaloes. Currently, his polyhouse spans three acres, with a fourth acre under development. Overall, he supervises 15 bighas of land shared with his two brothers. While all of his farming practices are organic, the polyhouse requires the occasional use of WSf and Biohouse chemicals.

One of Gangaram’s unique features is his direct interaction with consumers. He sells strawberries directly to visitors and offers a wide variety of vegetables at local markets. Additionally, he supplies his produce to Kissan Mela, ensuring that his fresh and organic products reach a broader audience.

Gangaram’s commitment to education is evident as he welcomes two batches of students from SKN Unit City who are pursuing B.Sc as part of the RAWE program. His farm serves as an experiential learning platform, offering hands-on exposure to sustainable farming practices.

Gangaram’s remarkable journey has not gone unnoticed, earning him a series of prestigious awards and recognitions. In 2019, he was honored with the JB Kheti Award at the state level. In 2021, he was recognized as an innovative farmer by IARI, Delhi. He continued to receive accolades, including the Pandit Din Dayal Upodaya Karsi Award in 2021 and the IARI Fellow Award on February 9, 2022.

Looking to the future, Mr. Gangaram envisions expanding his sheep production by exploring more breeds and implementing sustainable practices. His relentless pursuit of knowledge, coupled with his dedication to sustainable farming, makes him a true trailblazer in the field of agriculture. Gangaram’s story serves as an inspiring example for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities through sustainable and organic farming practices.

In a world where sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly important, Gangaram stands as a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for those who wish to make a positive change. His dedication to organic farming and his commitment to sharing knowledge not only enrich his community but also contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Hardeep Singh

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In the heart of Ludhiana’s Rabbon Uchi village, a tale of ambition, dedication, and perseverance has unfolded over the past 15 years. At the center of this narrative is Hardeep Singh, a visionary dairy farmer who has transformed his dreams into reality through relentless hard work and an unwavering commitment to his craft. With an academic background in marketing, an MBA degree, and a stint at Tara Feed, Hardeep’s journey into the world of dairy farming is an inspiring testament to the possibilities that lie beyond traditional career trajectories.

Hardeep’s foray into dairy farming was no mere happenstance. His passion was ignited during his time at Tara Feed, where he had the opportunity to visit various farms as part of his job. These visits opened his eyes to the potential of dairy farming as a profitable and sustainable occupation. Armed with this newfound inspiration, he embarked on a journey that would lead him to become a pioneer in his field.

With a burning desire to learn and grow, Hardeep took extensive training in the field, initially focusing on buffalo farming before transitioning to cows. Armed with his newly acquired knowledge, he purchased 20 animals at the outset, and what sets his journey apart is his steadfast commitment to breeding. Unlike many in the industry who often rely on purchasing animals, Hardeep chose a different path. He decided to breed his own cows, a decision that not only spoke to his dedication but also set the stage for a self-sustaining farm. Over the years, his herd has grown to a total of 90 cows, comprising both Holstein Friesians (HF), with 40 actively contributing to milk production.

Obstacles, as Hardeep believes, are an inevitable part of any occupation. Yet, his approach to challenges is what truly defines him. He is not one to shy away; instead, he tackles each obstacle head-on, seeking innovative solutions. One such example is his battle against mastitis, a common and often debilitating condition in dairy cattle. Hardeep invested time and effort in researching and refining the nutrition of his cows’ feed. Drawing upon recommendations from institutions like Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Punjab Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA), he fine-tuned his cows’ diet, leading to a reduction in mastitis cases and an overall improvement in cow health.

Another challenge he confronted was repeat breeding. Through meticulous research and experimentation, he found a solution by incorporating the right mix of minerals and vitamins into the cows’ diet, effectively addressing the issue. Hardeep’s proactive approach doesn’t stop at on-farm solutions; he’s also tapped into the resources provided by the National Dairy Development Board. Leveraging their schemes, he secured subsidies for his initial purchase of 10 animals, giving his venture a solid financial boost.

In his pursuit of excellence, Hardeep leaves no stone unturned. He uses imported semen from reputable sources like Punjab Dairy Farmers Association, Avis, and Worldwide, enhancing the genetics of his herd. With an emphasis on technology, Hardeep employs software to monitor his cows’ health and productivity. Each cow wears a tag around its neck, and the software sends him real-time updates about their well-being, including any signs of sickness. The same software aids in optimizing artificial insemination timings, ensuring a higher success rate in breeding.

Hardeep’s accomplishments extend beyond the dairy barn. His family, especially his brothers, have been pillars of support throughout his journey. With 42 acres of land dedicated to agriculture, he maintains a symbiotic relationship between his farming endeavors. He cultivates crops such as potatoes and corn, the latter serving as silage for his cows. This integration not only reduces costs but also highlights Hardeep’s holistic approach to farming.

As Hardeep Singh continues to nurture his dairy farm in Ludhiana’s Rabbon Uchi village, his journey remains an inspiration to all who come across it. His ability to surmount challenges, embrace innovation, and sustain a thriving enterprise underscores the limitless possibilities that can emerge from a combination of passion and perseverance. In his story, we find not only a tale of individual success but also a roadmap for revitalizing and revolutionizing the agricultural landscape.

Message to farmers

Reflecting on his journey, Hardeep emphasizes the profitability of dairy farming, provided one pays meticulous attention to expenses and focuses on the crucial aspects of feed, breed, and cow management. He stands as a testament to the notion that with the right blend of passion, knowledge, and determination, even a non-traditional background can lead to extraordinary success. His story underscores the potential of agriculture as a dynamic and rewarding profession, inspiring aspiring farmers to think beyond conventional boundaries.

Mukesh Manjoo

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A progressive farmer who changed other farmers’ mindset

Our Country beholds that farming is a career option which cannot generate a decent income. When we talk about farmers the only picture that comes to our mind is of an old man sitting near his barren land, a farmer is always portrayed as a helpless being. In today’s story, you will come to know about a progressive farmer Mukesh Manjoo who wanted to change this mindset of society.
Mukesh Manjoo from Pilani, Rajasthan used to work as a National Security head at Delhi Airport but in 2018 his father was diagnosed with cancer and he had to take VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme). He used to see his grandfather and father practice agriculture for living in his childhood and became fond of this.
He has 20 acres of land under cultivation and started farming in 2014 when he planted kinnow and mausami over 4 hectares of land on his farm and named his organic farm ‘The Manjoo Farms’. Then in 2016, he cultivated olives on 4 acres of land, followed by Dates in 2016, Thai Apple Ber in 2019 and planted Sangri in 2020. In 2022 after watching Pushpa movie he planted Chandan on his land.
He also practices intercropping and cultivates ayurvedic medicinal plant – Ashwagandha and cash crops like watermelon. The main highlight of his farming is the authentic traditional farming he practices, he applies organic manure on his land made of cow dung and cow urine, buttermilk etc. he doesn’t use heavy agriculture machinery on his farm due to two main reasons- he wants to employ the workers and generate employment for the needy and secondly, he believes that the machinery compresses the soil’s internal layer, deteriorates soil health by decreasing water holding capacity of the soil.

The environment and natural resources should be utilised without creating an imbalance in the nature   – Mukesh Manjoo

He follows the Integrated Farming System, along with crop production he practices fish farming, poultry farming (Kadaknath variety), beekeeping (50 boxes), and owns several domestic animals like Sahiwal breed cows for milk and related products; camel for agriculture purposes instead of machinery and two horses for his children to learn horse riding.
Most of the regions in Rajasthan are under a dry zone and there is always a shortage of water. Mukesh believes in water conservation and has made space for rainwater harvesting in his field. He also uses different irrigation practices to minimise the wastage at his end, for example, Usage of Drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and Rain pipe which irrigates the field in just 15 minutes and through these techniques he is successful in saving water.
His brother Pramod Manjoo who worked as a vigilance offer in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) until 2018, helps him on his farm and has always shown full support. In the start he faced a few problems in getting the right customers as a person who values health and is aware of the benefits of organic food. However, because of his vast friend list and his hard work, he survived and today enjoys a great profit in organic farming. His main focus was to go for different crops which could generate regular income for him. So along with seasonal crops, he also grew crops which stay in high demand throughout the year.

Whenever guests come to my house I never offer them, Chai, coffee or even juice for that matter instead I offer fresh organic products from my farms such as watermelon, Kinnow and dates. – Mukesh Manjoo

Mukesh doesn’t sell any crop in mandi. According to him for becoming a large-scale farmer, the right market should be set and strategically hard work should be done in the right direction. All his products are cultivated based on customer needs only and his customers are scattered from Pilani, Rajasthan to metro cities like Delhi and Gurgaon. Likewise, he sells olives directly to hotels like Taj Delhi at ₹250/kg and olive oil at ₹1000/litre. The main marketing technique which proved to be a huge success for him is Word-of-mouth marketing. Once a customer has a taste of his delicious organically grown fruits he becomes a permanent consumer. The quality of the organic products and the confidence in his work has made him a progressive farmer.
Achievements
•    Awarded at State level by Chief minister of Rajasthan in 2021
•    Awarded by Rajasthan’s agriculture minister in 2020
•    Awarded at district level under ATMA scheme in 2019
•    Awarded for the promotion of indigeneous breeds of cows in 2018
Future Plans
He plans to start Agro-tourism by making cottages on his farm so that people can experience living in nature’s lap once again.

Message to farmers
He wants all other farmers to be as proud of their occupation as any other person working in offices would be. Agriculture in India has changed so much in the last few years and will achieve new heights in the near future.

Milan Sharma

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Nothing is impossible for a woman, if she is passionate… Milan Sharma proved this by her dedication

It is often believed that dairy farming is mostly done by less or uneducated people. But now the educated youths are also joining this business by seeing other people making more money in this work. Nowadays, men as well as women are getting ahead in dairy farming. In this story we are talking about a woman who succeeded in the dairy farming business and is now becoming an inspiration to other women.

Milan Sharma, a resident of Haryana, has studied M.Sc. Biochemistry. While studying, she was married to Chetan Sharma, an Electronic engineer. After getting married she gave birth to two sons and got busy in her family chores. After the sons started going to school, she started learning German language in her leisure time and later got a job as a German teacher in a school. In addition, she worked with the German Cultural Centre as a project manager for many years. This project was designed to teach children in German and then help them to move to Germany for higher studies.

Later on, both our children got good jobs so we both thought about doing something better for the environment and society – Milan Sharma

Milan’s father-in-law had 4 cows in the village and he always did everything himself. Unfortunately he died in 2017, so Milan and her husband started looking after the 4 cows kept by their father and with it they bought 2 more Sahiwal breeds. With the passing time, their dairy business started to grow and Milan had to leave her job. But she didn’t know much about dairy farming, so she got training from the NDRI Karnal, LUVAS and GADVASU to increase her knowledge. Number of cows increased to 30. She then started a farm named as “Revanar” in 6 acres of land. Revnar is the combination of Revati and Narayan – names of her husband’s grandparents. She get this farm registered from FSSAI. At present they have 140 cows of Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Rathi and Gir breed.

I used to be scared getting near to the cows before, but now I spend all my day with the cows. Now the cows live with me as if these are my best friends. – Milan Sharma

With the increase in number of cows, the amount of milk production also increased. Earlier, only relatives and some people in the village purchased milk from them, but later on others also started buying milk from them because of the good quality. At first, they used to put milk in the drums and give it to the customers, but after a while they realized that there should be some change. Now they sell milk to customers by putting milk in glass bottles. Customers return those glass bottles in which milk is sold to them. The next day, milk is then given to the customers in the same glass bottles. They also sell milk and milk products (cheese, yogurt, butter, lassi, desi ghee) online. Milan sells her dairy milk to customers in Delhi, Noida, and Faridabad.

Along with the dairy farm, she cultivates 15 acres of land in Mathura. Here in the crops she grow wheat, paddy and mustard.

She also use cow dung and urine from dairy. They has set up a bio-gas plant, which produces gas from cow dung and urine, which is further used to produce food for cows such as porridge (dalia).

In addition to this, Milan has grown various types of fruit trees, medicinal plants and heritage trees on her farm, such as Neem, Tahli, Kadam, Papaya, Gillow, Amla, Guava, Bel Patra, lemon, tamarind, etc. By adding the leaves of all these trees in the cow’s urine, she produce the Jeev amrit which is used for the crops. In addition, she use buttermilk in the fields as the replacement of pesticides.

Millan’s husband, Chetan, works in solar panels installation in homes and companies. He has also installed 800 kW solar panel on his farm.

Achievements –

Following are the achievements made by Milan’s determination and hard work:

  • Animal Husbandry Department, Haryana has given her the status of Progressive Farmer.
  • 2 cows of Revnar Farm won prizes at the Faridabad Pashu Mela.
  • She has increased the number of cows from 30 to 140 cows in just one year and added more than 200 customers starting from 5 houses only.
Future planning:
Milan wants to give her entire village a chemical free environment. Going forward, she want to prepare her dairy farm as a skill centre and provide training to the veterinarians. She want to start a project with the government to set up a community biogas plant in their village. The project will provide free gas to all the villagers, where they will also know about the proper utilization of cow dung. By doing this, they can use the waste of the bio gas plant as organic manure in the fields and thus can reduce cost on the fertilizers

Message
“Youth should come forward in the field of dairy farming. There are many job opportunities in this area too. We should also encourage our children to get involved in this work from the very beginning.”

Sirbeerinder Singh Sidhu

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Punjab – Malwa Region Based Farmer Paired Agriculture With Mechanized Technology, Have You Tried It…

Sirbeerinder Singh Sidhu, 44, keeping in mind about the Mother Nature, implements the best Eco-friendly farming practices through which time and money, both can be saved. And this thought of working in harmony with nature comes in his mind while he was far away in a foreign land.
Farming, as we know, is an age-old practice, which was followed by our ancestors and their ancestors… to cultivate food and sustain life. But, with the revolution and change in demands, today, agriculture has come a long way creating a vast history behind. Yes, there are some negative impacts of modern agriculture practices, but now not only the farming community but a lot of individuals from the city are also taking initiative towards sustainable agriculture practices.

Sirbeerinder Singh Sidhu is also one of those individuals who realized while living in abroad that he has done nothing for the land which provided him everything since his childhood. Although he was very successful living in abroad, learning about new farming technology, machinery and serving the community, he felt very despondent. And that was when he decided to take a long respite from his life in abroad and came back to his motherland, Punjab (India).

“After completing my graduation from Punjab University, I went to Canada to pursue higher studies and later on I got settled there. But after 5-6 years I felt a strong urge from the bottom of my heart that I need to go back to where I belong.”

Already aware of the foreign agriculture practices, Sirbeerinder Singh Sidhu decided to mechanize his own way of farming and then he paired commercial farming and agriculture technology together. Moreover, he decided to start Kinnow farming rather than wheat and paddy.

“Wheat and paddy are the conventional crops of Punjab which needs only 4-5 months of labour in the field. Instead of getting stuck in the cycle of wheat and paddy, farmers should focus on horticulture crops and other agri-allied activities which can be done around the year.”

Mr. Singh designed a machine which can be taken in the orchards by attaching it with a tractor and that machine can grade the Kinnows in 6 different sizes. The machine has inbuilt 9 cleaning brushes and 4 drying brushes; mechanization of the machine up to this level has reduced the cost of labour to almost zero.

“Machine designed by me can grades around 1-1 ½ tons of Kinnow in an hour and the running cost of this machine is 10-litre diesel per day.”

According to Mr. Singh – Earlier, the main obstacle faced was during the marketing of Kinnow, labour cost of harvesting Kinnows from the orchard and then taking care of it was very time and labour consuming and also was not economical. Since the grading machine is developed by Mr. Singh, half of the problem of harvesting and grading is already solved.
This mechanized way of grading Kinnows in six different sizes has created a valuable place for Mr. Singh’s harvest in the market, as it gets more pre-eminence and better return on investment. Using this mechanized way for grading the Kinnows is a valuable addition to the “Sidhu Model Farm”, and from the last 2 years, fruits produced by Mr. Singh is achieving first and second prizes at the State Level in Citrus Shows.

This is not the only approach that Mr. Singh is following; drip irrigation, crop waste management, green manuring, bio-gas plant, vermicomposting, organic production of vegetables, cereals, fruits, and wheat, are other means through which he is trying reduce the harmful footprints of conventional farming practices on his behalf.

Sirbeerinder Singh Sidhu’s contribution in the agriculture field has bagged him many awards and honour at state and national level, out of which these two are the main:

• Won State Level Citrus Show at Abohar, Punjab
• Received award form PUSA Delhi for Innovative Farming
Along with farming, Mr. Singh is also master of other animal husbandry and agri-allied activities, just because of his hobby. He rears dairy animals, poultry birds, kennel dogs, goats, and Marwari horses. He has also maintained a fish pond in half acre and forestry which includes 7000 Eucalyptus trees and 25 Bush Bamboos.
With his 12 years of experience in the agriculture field, Mr. Singh has focused his attention on some important matters and want to give the message to the society through these issues, which are the major concerns in Punjab ….

Subsidy and agriculture schemes:
Farmer assumes that Government is helping us by giving subsidy and making different agricultural schemes, but this is not true; this is a way of making farmers handicapped and grabbing their land. Farmers have to understand their good and bad themselves because agriculture is such a wide field that if it is done properly with determination then it can make anyone rich.

Mind Set of Young Generation:
Nowadays, the young generation is all set to go abroad or get settled in the city, they don’t care what kind of work they have to do in there; for them farming is a dirty job. What’s the sake of investing in the education and employment, if ultimately it will result in brain drain! Youth is unaware of the fact that agriculture is such a prosperous and diverse field that it can provide more advantages, profit, and happiness than the life in abroad.

Marketing in agriculture field:
Today, the farmer also has to become the seller by eliminating the middlemen and this is the only way by which farmer can clinch their forgotten position from the society. Farmer has to adopt modern eco-friendly practices which will lead them towards sustainable agriculture results.

Everyone should remember that-
” once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.”

Ankur and Ankita Singh

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Graduated From Symbiosis This Husband-Wife Duo, Giving a New Definition to Agribusiness with Their New Concept of Dairy Farming

What life do you imagine after doing MBA in Agribusiness from a prestigious university of India, maybe an Agricultural Analyst, Farm Appraiser, Market Analyst, Quality Controller, or Agribusiness Marketing Coordinator?

Well, all these are dream job profiles for MBA Agriculture graduates and it will become cherry on the top if you have done your MBA from an esteemed university like Symbiosis, Pune. But there are very few people who instead of being part of a multinational organization, prefer to emerge as a start-up which gives true meaning to their skills and adequacy.

Urban Dairy- An initiative taken by a power couple- Ankur and Ankita with the mission to redefine the concept of dairy farming with their distinctive idea of selling milk in raw form. This farm is located in district Unnao, 55 kilometres from Kanpur city.

Before starting this milk venture, Ankur was working as a Bio-technologist and Agriculturist in different companies (total work experience 2 years). In 2014, Ankur tied love knot with his friend Ankita, who also did MBA from Symbiosis, Pune with him.

Well, this idea of selling raw milk came into accomplishment after Ankur’s nephew came from abroad to visit him. As this was the first experience of Ankur’s nephew in India, so he decided to make it special.

Ankur especially bought an indigenous breed of cow- Shahiwal and started rearing her for milk purpose. Although the purpose of raw cow milk was only for Ankur’s nephew as he had realised that unpasteurized cow milk is more healthy and tastier than packed milk. Slowly, the whole family started drinking the cow milk and everyone liked it.

Ankur was fond of animals since childhood, but after this instance, he thought why to compromise with the health, and in 2015 both husband and wife (Ankur & Ankita) decided to start their own dairy farm. Ankur attended a short training at NDRI Karnal before starting dairy farming and in the meanwhile, his wife Ankita looked after all the construction work of the farm. They began with 6 Holstein cross breed cows, and now it has been 3 years and they have 34 Holstein/ Jersey cross breed cows and 7 indigenous cows (Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparker) at their farm.

Urban Dairy is what they thought of naming their brand, blending the rural theme with the city, a fusion of two regions, which are completely opposite to each other. From managing dairy farm to product marketing & development, they did not leave even a single step to reach where they are today. The whole farm is build-out in 4 acres of land and there are 7 workers for its maintenance. Bathing, feeding, maintaining hygiene of cows and other farm-related work are done manually by the worker and milking is done by the milking machine as well as manually by hands as per the comfort of cow. Both Ankur and Ankita make it a point to visit the farm once daily without fail. They not only like to spend most of their time at the farm but also it helps them supervise the workers in a better way. The entire milling and bottling and transport is under strict supervision of the founders.

“Ankur: We also prepare the cow feed ourselves, because milk yield & cow’s health totally depends on the feed and we never compromise on this. The cow feed formula that we follow is- 33% protein, 33% industrial waste (choker), 33% grains (maize, chickpea) and extra minerals.”

Other than dairy farming they are also actively involved in organic farming of vegetables. They have leased an extra 4 acres land. Earlier Ankita used that land as a kitchen garden. She never used any fertilizer/pesticide on that land other than cow dung. Now the land has totally turned into an organic piece of fertile acreage which they are using for farming wheat, chickpea, carrot, garlic, chillies, coriander, and seasonal veggies. They use farm crops for the cow’s feed and home purpose.

“In the beginning, my HF crossbreed cow was giving 12-litre milk, after second pregnancy she started giving 18-litre milk and now she is pregnant the third time and we are expecting 24-litre milk. There is a possibility of increase in milk production imminently.”

Marketing:

Instead of carrying milk in large milk containers to the customers and using primitive milk measuring ladle, they have come up with an innovative concept to enhance their product image. They pack the raw milk directly into glass bottles after filtration process and then deliver it to the door of the customers.

People have accepted their product with open arms. Till today, i.e. 3 years and they haven’t used a single marketing strategy or advertising to allure the customer to use their product. The entire market they are catering to, has been formed through word-of-mouth publicity by their existing customers. The response has motivated them to a level that they have started with the production of paneer, ghee and other milk based dairy products. The positive response from customers has increased their sale.

They have their own distribution network in the city for milk sale and by seeing their advancement slowly with the time it will increase to manifolds.

Future Plan:

Indigenous cow breeds milk production capacity is not that high, and he wants to develop a new cow breed by cross-breeding indigenous cows which have good milk production capacity as the milk of our Indigenous breeds is considered better in quality and proven to have multiple health benefits for humans.

According to him, milk can be kept at 2 degree centigrade for one week in healthy condition, and for that purpose, he wants to invest in chiller storage in the coming time, to store the milk for long time and use it for multiple purposes.

Message:
“Dairy farmers should never neglect the hygiene and care of their cows, they should care about them as they care for their own health. And before starting dairy farming every farmer must acquire knowledge and keep themselves updated with the current dairy farming trends for better future. Dairy farming can only be profitable if the animals in your farm are happy. The selling price of your product wouldn’t get you to earn profits, but a happy animal can definitely help you earn good profits.”

Sher Baz Singh Sandhu

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SHER BAZ SINGH SANDHU, BRINGING WHITE REVOLUTION IN PUNJAB WITH THE BEST BREED OF BUFFALO- MURRAH

This is the story of a man who continued his interest in dairy farming and turned it into a successful dairy business- Lakshmi Dairy Farm.

Unlike many other farmers, Sher Baz Singh Sandhu had shifted away his mind in teenage from seeking employment in private and public sectors. His interest was developed in dairy farming and the reason behind Mr. Sandhu’s affinity toward dairy farming was his mother- Harpal Kaur Sandhu.

This love towards dairy farming was a thing which was carried from the maternal side of Sher Baz Singh Sandhu by her mother. In earlier times maternal grandfather of Mr. Sandhu, had a fascination of rearing best breeds of cattle. And this fascination was later on followed by her daughter after marriage, and by seeing his mother’s interest in cattle rearing, Mr. Sandhu was also influenced by it.

In 2002, Mrs. Harpal Kaur passed away. Yes, it was a sad moment for Mr. Sandhu, but after her mother’s death he got an inspiration to pursue his interest of cattle rearing in a better way and that was when he decided of entering the dairy farming venture. Mr. Sandhu sold the old cattle and bought a new buffalo of breed Murrah from a region in Haryana in Rs. 52,000. At that time, that Buffalo used to give 15-16 kg of milk per day.

In 2003, he bought again a new buffalo of the same breed in Rs. 80,000 and this buffalo was giving 25 kg milk at that time.

Then in 2004, he bought a male calf of buffalo in Rs. 75,000, by doing a complete family background check (her mother used to give 20 kg milk and also won an award for it).
And this is how he improved the breed of his farm buffaloes and increased the number of quality buffaloes in his farm.

Once, Lakshmi his buffalo won best breed championship in the Muktsar Mela and just after that, he named his farm – “LAKSHMI DAIRY FARM”.

Not only Lakshmi but many other buffaloes and bull are there like- Dhanno, Rani, Sikander…, who made Mr. Sher Baz Singh Sandhu proud and broke records again and again by winning prizes in Kissan Melas and for milk production and breed championship.

Some of his awards and achievements are mentioned below:
• Lakshmi Dairy Farm holds national record for buffalo milk.
• Sherbaj Singh has been awarded by “State Award for excellent services in Dairy Farming” by CM S. Parkash Singh Badal
• His buffalo came first in 8th National Livestock Championship
• Awarded by Sardar Gulzar Singh in Maghi Mela
• His buffalo won 1st award in milk production competition in Muktsar (2008)
• PDFA Mela in 2008, his buffalo got 1st award
• Buffalo (Dhanno) gave 25 kg milk and broke all records (2015)
• In January his Murrah buffalo won all the prizes in Muktsar Mela (2016)
• His bull (Sikander) won 2nd prize in the Muktsar Mela.
• Lakshmi Buffalo won best breed championship
• Rani Buffalo gave 26 kg and 357 gram of milk and created a new record and won first prize.
• Dhanno Buffalo gave 26 kg milk and came second in the same competition.
• Many articles have been published in the newspaper in advisory magazine

Today, he has total 50 Buffaloes in his farms spread over 1 acres and he sells all the milk in the city to multiple stores. Mr. Sandhu prefers to grow fodder by himself, he has total 40 acres of land in which he grows wheat, paddy, and fodder.

Mr. Sandhu’s son- Barinder Singh Sandhu who is an advocate by profession and his wife- Kulwinder Kaur Sandhu, is also very supportive in managing Lakshmi Dairy Farm. His son has created an FB page by the farm name which has around 3.5 lakhs of followers and he wants to increase the number of followers to 10 lakhs till 2022-23. Because of the farm’s popularity, many people even from foreign, buy buffaloes from them.

Mr. Sandhu always tries to help the farmers with dairy farming and motivate them to progress in it. He also provides good quality semen and milk to farmers.

FUTURE PLAN: His future plan is to increase the farm area and keep only quality buffaloes and provide good quality semen and milk to farmers.

Message:
“
Nowadays farmers are more interested towards rearing foreign breeds rather than local. They think foreign breeds can make them more profit. But this is not true. Because foreign breeds need a different climate and conditions, which is not possible in India. Moreover, rearing foreign breed need more expenses than local breed, which ordinary farmers are not able to manage. Due to which, after some time farmers shift to rearing local breeds or they stop rearing cattle completely.
Farmers should understand that now good breeds are also available in India which can produce 20-25 kg of milk per day. Farmers should opt dairy farming business along with farming because it helps in increasing the income. In this way, farmers can deal with the problem of unemployment and India can progress in dairy farming.
”

Harbir Singh Pandher

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HOW FATHER’S INVESTMENT IN APICULTURE, HELPED SON REAP RICH DIVIDENDS FROM IT IN THE FUTURE

The young scion of Pandher family – Harbir Singh Pandher not only took his father’s beekeeping business ahead but he also turns it into a profitable venture with his ideas and efforts.

Harbir Singh, a residence of Kuhli Khurd, Ludhiana is a young lad who even after holding an engineering degree in Civil, decided to continue his father’s occupation and give it a boost with his innovative ideas.

When Beekeeping Business was basically introduced to Pandher Family….
Gurmail Singh Pandher – Father of Harbir Singh, started beekeeping business almost 35 years ago without any training. In 80’s, when nobody ever thought that apiculture can also be a profitable source of income at that time the futuristic mind of Gurmail Singh ran in a different direction. At that time, he started his apiculture business with mere two honey-bee boxes, and today his son has turned his work into a flourishing endeavour of 700 honey-bee boxes.

Even though Harbir’s father beekeeping work was making a good profit but it was still lacking the marketing perspective, due to which they were not able to cover the ideal market. So, Harbir thought of giving his father local business a boost with his planning and thinking. Harbir just after completing his studies overtook his father’s business. Choosing father’s business was not a compulsion for Harbir, it was his passion to continue the work which he has seen his father doing all his childhood.

The first thing that Harbir did after he started managing his father’s work was to give a brand name to the business- “ROYAL HONEY”. Harbir was well aware that to promote a business on larger scale branding is very much important, so he got his business registered under this brand name. To give his work a more professional touch, Harbir especially visited PAU in 2011 for beekeeping training.

In the year 2013 he also gets his product registered under AGMARK and today from packaging to marketing, he does everything himself. He is mainly focusing on two products and that is honey and bee wax.

Harbir has mainly Italian Bees at his farm, and to maintain the higher quality of the honey yield they do season to season migration of honey-bee boxes from one place to another in nearby states of Punjab. He has employed 7 workers for this work. Mainly he leaves his boxes in Chittorgarh (Carrom Seeds fields), Quota (Mustard fields), Himachal Pradesh (Multi-flower), Malout (Sunflower fields) and another place in Rajasthan (Bajra & Tuar fields) by taking area on rent. By the method of manual processing, he extracts honey and then does the packaging and marketing of his products.

Other than beekeeping, Harbir and his family are also doing farming and dairy farming. They have 7 acres of land on which they grow rice and wheat for home purpose, and have 15 buffaloes, whose milk they sell in the village and also keep some of it for personal use.

Currently, Harbir is making a good profit from his family business and in the free time, he also helps other people by guiding them towards the beekeeping business. Harbir’s future plan is to expand his business to a larger extent and also become fully independent in terms of marketing.

Message for Farmers:
“
Nowadays farmers shouldn’t be dependent on farming only, they should adopt other agribusinesses also along with farming, so that if one option fails then they at least have other option to survive. Beekeeping is a very profitable business and farmers must give it a try to know about its benefits.
”

Narpinder Singh Dhaliwal

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Story of a Man Achieving Sweet Taste of Success with Beekeeping

Beekeeping is a long-standing practice in India and after the independence, it is being promoted through various rural development programs. But when it comes to taking the beekeeping to the next level through commercializing the bee products, then even today also most of the people are lacking these types of skills. But there are many people who have achieved great revenue and success from it. One such person who is practicing beekeeping from last 20 years and is generating good profit from it is Narpinder Singh Dhaliwal.

It is said that we don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges, and Narpinder Singh Dhaliwal is one of those people who has achieved this success in his life by doing great hard work and facing many failures. Today Mr. Dhaliwal is the owner of Dhaliwal Honey Bee Farm having around 1000 bee boxes, which is situated in his own native place- Chuharchak Village of district Moga (Punjab).

Before starting beekeeping, Narpinder Singh Dhaliwal was almost unemployed and was working at a measly salary of 1500 and it was very difficult for him to meet his needs. His low qualification was also a downside for him. So he decided to take over his father’s work and help him in beekeeping. His father was an ex-army man and he started beekeeping with 5 boxes in 1997. He was the first one who started beekeeping on a commercial level.

Mr. Narpinder did everything himself from the beginning to setup his business and also faced many difficulties in it. Due to fewer resources and less money, he also faced many failures, but he never gave up. He took 5 days training from Horticulture Department of PAU to give beekeeping business a perfect direction. He took help from friends, money from the bank, and from the joint effort of his family and some helpers he finally setup his bee farm in his village.

He started with 5 boxes and today he has around 1000 boxes, he keeps on migrating those boxes from places to places to get the good yield of honey. He has mainly western bees on his farm and that is European and Italian. He does not give any artificial or supplemental feed to bee colonies, he prefers only natural feed. Moreover, he doesn’t use any type of pesticide or chemical spray for pest control, he prefers natural method for controlling or preventing the pests. Because he believes in doing everything in a natural way.

The problems that he generally faces are Varroa Mites and Hornets attack during the rainy season and to cope up it, he uses natural preventive methods. And even after following the natural method he gets good ROI (return on investment) over his investment in one year. Well, many people practice beekeeping, the thing that makes him a smart beekeeper is that he directly make contact with his customers and market his product himself. From honey processing to packaging to branding, he does everything himself with the help of 6 helpers, he is not dependent on anyone for anything. Currently, he is also getting the subsidy for his beekeeping business from the government.

In the beginning, many people were there who criticized his work and honey quality also, but then also he never got demotivated and continued with beekeeping. Other than beekeeping he also does organic farming, dairy farming, fruit farming, poultry farming and conventional farming but the produce generated from all these farming is mainly to fulfil his own family needs.

Narpinder Singh also discussed his views on how to confirm about the honey pureness and the different colour of honey samples. According to him –
“The good quality of honey is not checked with its colour or liquidity. Because honey obtained from different flowers of different plants have different properties. And the best type of honey is obtained from mustard flowers and it is very thick in consistency. Thick honey is also known as frozen honey which is mainly obtained from mustard flowers; it is a very high in demand bee product in the international market because of its health benefits. Good identity and pureness of honey can only be known by the experts present in labs or agriculture universities. So if a person is in doubt about the honey quality then they should get it confirmed from the experts or buy it from a certified person, rather than believing on someone’s sayings.

Mr. Narpinder Singh himself is doing apiculture and is producing honey of multi-flower, litchi, and mustard, and is also exporting most of the mustard honey to Europe. He is also a Member of Progressive Beekeeper Association in PAU. Other than producing honey, he is also planning to launch some other bee and turmeric products like “Bee Pollen, Bee Pollen Capsule, Turmeric Capsule and Royal Jelly” in the market. And he has also taken advanced training to make Bee Pollen Capsule from PAU especially.

Bee Pollen has the important nutrients required by humans and Royal jelly has multiple health benefits- both are the most in demand product in the international market and very soon its demand will also increase in India. Currently, his main focus is on marketing Bee Pollen Capsule and Turmeric Capsule and making aware the people of its health benefits and uses.

His work has made him achieved many awards and prizes in different Kisan Melas. He also won Jatt Expo Award in Paragpur. He was also honoured by Agricultural Department of Moga in 2014 and in 2016, he was also honoured on World Honey Day.

Message by Narpinder Singh Dhaliwal
“Today farming has a lot of potentials and if a farmer is ready to diversify the field of agriculture. I diversified my farm and today I’m reaping benefits from it. I want to give this message to my farmer friends that in order to be successful, you have to diversify. Beekeeping is one practice which has been ignored by farmers for too long. One can achieve a lot of success in this field as it is very profitable. And nowadays government is also giving subsidy on 5-10 boxes to the person who want to start beekeeping. ”

Amarjit Singh

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Kisan Junction- Story of A Man Who Quit His Job and Turned Into Emerging Khetipreneur through Diversified Farming

These days everyone dreams of a good profession followed by a nice decent job, and why not? We were always told that happiness and satisfaction in life are always achieved by doing a good professional job in the service sector. There are very few people who want to put their hands in the soil and make a livelihood out of it. However, there is a man who chose the soil over his job and is successfully practicing natural farming.

Mr. Amarjit Singh is a khetipreneur, who is actively involved in organic farming, dairy farming and is also running a restaurant business with the name Kisan Junction in Gharuan. He started farming in 2007, at that time he didn’t have any concrete plan in the mind, he just had the confidence of making difference in his own life.

Before starting farming, Amarjit Singh went to PAU for training and also visited different states, where he observed different agriculture practices being followed by farmers in producing the natural food without any chemicals. He also went to Calicut, Kerala for turmeric cultivation and processing training.

From his state visits and training, he came to know that there is a lot of adulteration in the food products that we consume daily. And after getting the insight, he decided of farming by using the natural method only, so that he can produce food without any contamination. From the last two years, he is only using organic manure in his farm and no fertilizers and pesticides. He is so much passionate about farming that he has taken 30 acres of land on lease for farming purpose and himself he has 1.5 acres of land only. He grows sugarcane, wheat, paddy, turmeric, mango, watermelon, spices, herbal plants and other seasonal vegetables in his farm.

Dr. Ramandeep Singh was one of the main personalities in PAU, from which Amarjit Singh got inspired and decided of giving his life a new turn. And it was Dr. Ramandeep Singh only who gave the concept of On-Farm-Market to him on which Kisan Junction is based. Today, Amarjit Singh is running Kisan Junction which is located just along with his farms on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana state highway. The main motive of Kisan Junction was to help farmers get their processed products reach the market through his shop. He initiated in 2007 and it took him 9 years to establish his own on-farm-market. From the last year, he has also opened a restaurant on the same land with the same name Kisan Junction- from Farm to Fork.

Amarjit Singh is just 10th passed by qualification, and today at the age of 45 he has finally recognized that what he is meant for and what he should do. So, to guide the rest of the farmers like him, he has formed a group called Shri Dhanna bhagat Farmers Club in Gharuan. He is the president of this group and apart from farming; he also takes out time for the group meetings. They have total 18 members in their group, and the main function of their group is to discuss that which type seeds they should use or buy, modern ways to implement farming and etc. They have also bought wheat sowing, harvesting and other types of machines for agriculture practices in the name of the group, and all the members of the group can use it and can also lend it to other farmers of their village on lower/reasonable rates.

Amarjit Singh’s second most important profession is dairy farming, he has total 8 buffaloes and from the milk given by them, he makes Milk, Cottage Cheese, Khoya, Clarified Butter and Buttermilk. He sells the entire dairy products in his on-farm-market – Kisan Junction. One of the famous processed selling food items of his restaurant is Khoya Barfi which is made by using Khoya (dried whole milk or milk thickened by heating in an open iron) and Jaggery.

Things that are attracting more customers to his restaurants are deliciously fresh and nutritious food, open ventilation, proper cooling system and on road farm market. He has made the wall of the restaurants by using green net and bricks which ensure proper ventilation of air inside the restaurant.

After discussing the current trend and agriculture practices with him, he told us about his views-

“People have a very wrong mentality, they think that there is no profit in farming and they shouldn’t opt to farm as their livelihood. But this is not true. Wrong thoughts and views are induced in the mind of children like- only uneducated and illiterate people do farming and because of this, young generation look upon farming as a shabby or discreditable profession.
Nowadays, children are running behind Rs. 10,000 job and this thing have made them despondent from their life. Instead of brainwashing the kids against farming, it’s better to teach them the benefits and profits generated from farming. Agriculture is a diversified field and if a child is interested in choosing agriculture as his career then he can do wonders.”

Amarjit Singh took risk of quitting his job and starting farming, and because of his hard work and passion towards farming, today that risk has paid off well. The main motives of Amarjit Singh behind starting Kisan Junction Market Hub are:

• Helping farmers in selling their product through their shop

• Growing fresh and chemical free vegetables and fruits

• Providing fresh, original and natural food products to the customers

• Use fresh produce in the restaurant and offer healthy and fresh meal to the customers

• Guide farmers to process, do branding and market their produce themselves

Well, this is not the end, he also provides Institutional training for IAS probationers and the director also visited his farm. His future plan is to expand his on-road-farm market business and make other farmers aware that what benefits and profits they can earn from doing farming and how. He always welcomes every farmer that comes to him to get help in the field of agriculture.

Message by Amarjit Singh
“Farming sector is going through major difficulties and farmers always talk about his rights, not his responsibilities. The government is not going to come forward and help farmer every time. Farmer has to take the initiative and help himself. PAU have 6 months training program, in which a farmer is trained from the beginning of land preparation to sowing to marketing the product. So, from now on, the farmer has to take responsibility on their own shoulders if they want to earn a good livelihood from agriculture.”

Ashok Vashist

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Encouraging Story of a Farmer Making Money from Organic mushroom Farming and Mushroom Products

The science of agriculture has been refined and perfected overtimes to fulfill the demands of the ever increasing population. And with advancement, farming techniques has also been changed. Nowadays most of the farmers are dependent on conventional farming (industrial farming) techniques, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, GMO and other industrial product to maximize the potential yield of their crops; very few are doing farming without using chemicals. Today, we are going to introduce you to a personality, who also use to do conventional farming earlier, but after getting the insight and knowing the benefits of using natural ways in farming, he started using natural farming methods.

Ashok Vashist is an ordinary farmer of village Haryana, who breached the stereotypical thinking of using conventional farming techniques and started using organic farming methods for mushroom cultivation. He got the inspiration of doing mushroom cultivation by using natural farming method after his visit to Research Center of Mushroom, where Chief Scientist Dr. Ajay Singh Yadav make him aware of the beneficial properties of mushroom and motivated him to start doing it.

In the beginning, when he started mushroom farming, the person other than Scientist Ajay Singh Yadav, who always encouraged and assisted him in farming was his wife. All the other six members of his family also helped and supported him a lot.

Ashok Vashist mainly follows three important steps of mushroom cultivation.

First Step: In the first step, he prepares compost by using paddy straw, wheat straw, millet straw, etc. He cut the straws in 3 to 4 cm and soak them in water.

Second Step: In the second step, he leaves the straw for 28 days in the compost made at home.

Third Step: In the third step, when the compost is prepared, he sows the mushroom seeds which are specially prepared in the lab.

He always follows these three steps while doing mushroom farming and other than mushroom he also cultivates wheat and rice in his farm. By qualification, he is just 10th passed, but this thing never dispirited him in learning and exploring new things. With his innovative thinking and enthusiasm, he tries to create different product out of mushroom, and till now he has created products like honey muraba, mushroom achaar, mushroom muraba, mushroom bhujia, mushroom biscuits, and even mushroom jalebi and ladoo also. One thing that he especially cares about while making different food products is health. So, he uses Stevia powder made from the plant species stevia to sweeten the sweet recipes. Stevia is an ideal healthy sweetener and is also nutritious; diabetic patients can consume sweet products containing stevia without any worries.

Ashok Vashist journey started from a very small platform, almost from zero, and today he has setup up his own business from his hard work, where he sold his homemade products which have been passed by FSSAI. Maharishi Vashist Mushroom is the brand name under which he is selling his products, and many experts, officers, leaders, and media house visit his farm, time to time, to know his innovative way and the idea behind mushroom cultivation and creating delicious mushroom products.

Ashok Vashist wall of achievement includes:

• Certificate for mushroom production technology training programme from HAIC Agro Research and Development Centre.

• Training Certificate by Chaudhry Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.

• Award and Certificate of Achievement in 2nd Agri Leadership Summit 2017

• Appreciation award from DC Amna Tarneem Jind.

Mushroom Seed:
Ashok Kumar is the first farmer of India who recently developed the seed of mushroom, which can be used as spawn.

Well these are just few awards and achievements to mention about Ashok Vashist, even his buffalo also won the competition by giving 23 kg of milk, which gave him a cash prize of Rs 21 thousand. He only owns 4.5 acres of land and 6 Murrah Buffaloes from which he tries to make out the best earning and profit. He is also an active participant of various exhibitions and events which help him in showcasing his products and making awareness of his farming techniques. And with the hard work and passion with which he is working, in future he will definitely going to achieve much more successes and praises in the field of farming.

Ashok Vashist has a special message for the farmers
“Mushrooms are highly nutritious and beneficial to human health. I have generated great profit from mushroom cultivation by growing them in a natural way. As, we know that, food processing is going to be a big thing in the future, so try to take advantage of the opportunity. In the coming time I’m planning to expand my mushroom cultivation to produce products in huge quantity for selling purpose. My message to other farmers is that they should also take up mushroom farming and process them to make different products for selling in the market. Even landless farmers can also make great earning from mushroom farming and they should also choose this field for farming.”

Rajmohan Singh Kaleka

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Story of a Man Who Is Known For Raising Poison Free Crop in Punjab

Born in an agriculturist family, S. Rajmohan Singh Kaleka is a successful progressive farmer from village Bishanpur, Patiala. Without using any kind of chemicals and pesticides he is growing Wheat and paddy on 20 acres of land and is taking good productivity (35 quintals paddy and wheat 22 quintals per acre) out of it from more than a decade.

He is also against stubble burning and he never burns the remains of the crop (straws). His method of poison free farming and eco-friendly agriculture practices has recognized him as a role model for the other peasants of Punjab.

Other than this he is also a member of the production committee of District Patiala. He is always affiliated with terms like progressive farmers, scientists, officers and agricultural expert; this is a big acknowledgement that he has received. Many agricultural scientist and officers often pay visits to his farm for research and exploration.

Along with his job and crop farming, he is also actively involved in dairy farming; he has kept few cows of Sahiwal breed. Other than this he has also established a Bio-Gas plant at his farm. According to him, one of the reasons that lead him to this level of accomplishment is the advisories taken by him from the agricultural experts, KVK’s and IARI.

In the free time, Rajmohan Singh likes to read books related to agriculture, because doing this boost him towards natural farming.

His Awards & Achievements…

For his good work and initiative towards poison free farming he has been honoured and awarded by many prominent people:

• State Level Award

• National Award

• Dhaliwal Award from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

• Awarded by Honourable Supreme Court Judge

• Awarded by Honourable Rajyapal of Punjab & Haryana

• Awarded by Agriculture Minister

Not only awards, Mr. Rajmohan has also received special letters of appreciation from various government officials which has made him more proud:

• Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture, Punjab

• Director of Agriculture Punjab

• Deputy Commissioner Patiala

• Chief Agriculture Officer, Patiala

• Joint Director, IARI

Message:
“Farmers should take step towards poison less farming because this is the only way to sustain a better life and they should also make earth a habitable place for the future generation. Today farmer should understand the current need and look for more meaningful and sustainable ways of pursuing agriculture instead of fulfilling their monetary needs.”

 

Rajveer Singh

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Success Story of a Small Dairy Farm in Karnal That Produces 800 Ltrs Milk per Day

This is the success story of Rajveer Singh and the accomplishments of his dairy farm. Hailing from a small village of Karnal district (Haryana), Rajveer Singh never thought that his HF breed cow- Lakshmi, would be honoured with National Award for high milk production.

Rajveer Singh’s Lakshmi is a cow of Holstein Friesian breed which has the capacity to produce 60 Lt Milk every day which is much more as compared to other HF breed cows. Lakshmi has not only won awards for her high milk producing capacity but also for her beauty in many animal fairs at the national level. She has been a beauty champion at Punjab National Dairy Farming Fair.

Well, Lakshmi is just one high milk producing cow at the farm of Mr. Rajveer. All in all, there are total 75 cattle at his farm, from which Rajveer Singh is making a profit of around 15 lakh annually. His whole farm is built and expanded in 1.5 acres of land, in which you can see an amazing view of a scrum of cows (60 HF cows, 10 Jersey cows, 5 Sahiwal cows).

Rajveer Singh’s dairy has a total milk production capacity of 800 litres/ day. Out of which, he sells some of the milk in the market and the rest to Amul Dairy. It’s been 8 years since he is actively involved in dairy farming and with his all efforts and expertise he tries to take care of his cows.

No amount of money can weaken the bond of Rajveer Singh and his cows…
Rajveer Singh is so much attached to his cows and dairy work that once he even refused a big businessman from Bangalore to sell his cow Lakshmi in 5 lakh rupees. Businessman visited Rajveer Singh’s farm to buy his cow and was ready to offer any amount of money in exchange of Lakshmi, but he was determined and rejected his proposal.

Care & Feed provided by Rajveer Singh to Lakshmi…
Lakshmi was born in the Rajveer Singh’s farm, due to which Rajveer was much attached to her. Lakshmi generally eats 50 kg of green fodder, 2 kg of dry and 14 kg grains every day. Almost 6 workers are engaged in the care of Lakshmi and other animals at the farm.

Message
“Cows should be cared for like a child. Cows are very reactive to the love and care that they receive. Dairy farmers should take care of every need of the cows, then only they can get good milk produce.”

 

Gurcharan Singh Mann

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How Gurcharan Singh Mann Getting the Most Out Of His Land through Diversification of Crops and Other Allied Activities

The trend of diversified farming is not so common in India. Wheat, rice and other traditional crops like barley are the major crops that farmers prefer to grow, unaware of the fact that conventional farming not only affects the soil fertility but also affects the farmer and sometimes also makes them vulnerable. On the other hand, diversified farming gives a boost in the farmer’s income if done properly. One such a farmer who recognized benefits of crop diversification and earned profit from it by implementing it when he was totally down and out, is Gurcharan Singh Sandhu.

Gurcharan Singh Sandhu was an ordinary farmer from Tungwali village of Bathinda district. The place from where he belongs is an arid and underdeveloped area, but these hindrances were nothing in front of his strong willpower.

In a young age, he left his studies and started farming, it’s a matter of 1992. He already had 42 acres of land, but he was never satisfied. Growing wheat and paddy was not a successful venture for him, due to the aridness of that area. After many attempts, when Gurcharan was not successful from traditional or conventional farming trend, then he decided of bringing a change in his farming methods. He adopted diversified farming trend and because of this initiative he has been chosen as the best farmer of the year by Punjab Agriculture University and has been honoured with “Parwasi Bharti Puraskar” instituted by Maninderjit Singh Sandhu, a former PAU teacher, for adopting diversification.

Today, out of 42 acres, he has orchards in 10 acres, vegetable farming in 2.5 acres, fish farm in 10 acres and banyan trees in half an acre. However, the real game changer other than diversified farming for him was beekeeping. He started with just 7 bee boxes, and today he has more than 1800 bee boxes from which the total produce is one thousand quintal of honey every year.

Mr. Gurcharan is so perfect in his work that the honey produced by him is excellent in quality and is recognized in many countries. His success in beekeeping led district administration to establish a honey processing plant in his village, and this plant is giving employment to 15 people who come under below poverty line. His beekeeping business is not only profiting him but also many other people by providing them employment.

Mr. Gurcharan has truly understood the meaning of diversification and he has implemented it not only in vegetable farming but also in his occupation. He has orchards, fish farm, dairy farm, and he is also actively involved in organic farming. From beekeeping business, he has started other allied activities such as Bee Box making and Wax Candle making.

“One thing that every farmer should get it done is soil and water check. And the second thing that farmer should understand is that if one farmer is growing potatoes than other should grow garlic, they should never chase other’s actions.”

Since beekeeping has now become his primary occupation, so he has named his farm “Mann Makhi Farm” and apart from honey he also makes jam, pickles, spices like turmeric powder and red chili powder. He markets all these products under the name of “Maan”.

Currently, his farm comes under Punjab Tourism because of its surrounding and landscape; his farm is encircled by more than 5000 species of trees and visiting there gives the real sense of being close to nature.

According to him, whatever he has achieved today is just because of PAU (Punjab Agriculture University); from the beginning, he always practiced that was recommended by the PAU Experts. To bring more professionalism in his work he also pursued the higher education and graduated in technical and scientific inventions later.

His main key to success is reducing the production cost, taking the products in the market himself and being less dependent on the government. By following these main things he is making a good profit.

He also discussed his views related to government initiative towards farming: –

“Government should pay more attention towards encouraging the modern farming techniques, availing more funds for research work, deciding the right collaboration cost for the cash crops, then only farmers can easily adopt the modern farming trends.”

Message:
“Farmers shouldn’t follow the trend that other farmers are doing, they should do from which they can be benefited. And if they need help than they can take it from agriculture experts, whether they are from PAU or any other university, because they always suggest the best.”

Gurpreet Shergill

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Man Bringing Flower-Farming Renaissance in Punjab

In the recent years, floriculture has emerged as a rising agri-business in India and 20% annual growth in exports has been observed in the floriculture industry. This is a good insignia representing the development of agri-sector in India which is only possible due to the contribution of some hardworking revolutionary countrymen.

1996 was the year when the man behind the Punjab Flower Farming Renaissance- Gurpreet Singh Shergill, took his first step towards floriculture, and today he is well-recognized floriculturist associated with many prestigious government bodies.

Gurpreet Singh Shergill – “After completing my degree in 1993 in Mechanical Engineering, I was confused about my career choice. I always wanted to do a work which makes me happy and gives me recognition, not that work which gives my worldly pleasures.”

Gurpreet Singh Shergill chose the farming field and along with that he also started dairy farming as his full-time profession. He never felt satisfied with his work, which made him work harder and think deeper. That was when he realized that he is not here to fall into the trap of wheat-paddy cycle and it took 3 years to understand this. Flowers always fascinated him, so with the expert advice of his father – Baldev Singh Shergill and support of his brother – Karanjit Singh Shergill, he decided to give floriculture a try. Marigold was the first successful yield that he got in that season.

After that nothing stopped him from achieving what he wanted…One main person to whom Gurpreet Singh Shergill gives the major credit, apart from father and brother is his wife, she is the main supporting pillar throughout his farming venture.

Marigold harvest was followed by Gladiolus, Gulzafri, Rose, Statice and Gypsophila harvests. This is how he turned into someone from a regular farmer.

Some stats about his foreign trips

In 2002, his quest for knowledge and know-how, took him Holland, where he attended Floriade (International Flower Exhibition organized after every 10 years).

He also visited world’s largest auction centre for fresh flowers in Aalsmeer, Holland.

In 2003, he also attended World Rose Convention in Glasgow, UK.

How he diversified his farming activities…

With his flourishing floriculture work, he established Vermicompost plant and added fishery in his farming practices.

Vermicompost plant is supporting him dually- he is using the compost in his field as well also selling it in the market.

He has also created his product line which includes Rose Water, Rose Sharbat, Aloe-Vera and Amla Juice. Compost and Rosewater are sold under the brand name “Balson”, and Rose Sharbat, Aloe Vera and Amla Juice under the brand name of “Shergill Farm Fresh”.

With his sheer hard work and dedication, he transformed his passion for agriculture into a successful business.

Many agriculture-related government bodies soon recognized his efforts and awarded him with multiple awards… some of the prominent awards are:

• Punjab Chief Minister Award, 2011 by PAU, Ludhiana

• Jagjivan Ram Innovative Farmer Award, 2012 by ICAR, New Delhi

• N.G. Ranga Farmer Award, 2014 by ICAR, New Delhi

• Innovative Farmer Award, 2015 by IARI, New Delhi

• Nominated for Member of National Advisory Panel (NAP) for Farmer’s FIRST Programme, 2016 by IARI, New Delhi

Even after, accomplishing so much, Gurpreet Singh Shergill never brags about his achievements. He is a very clear-head person who always seeks different information sources to grab knowledge and relate it to his farming practices. In the pastime, he likes to read agriculture magazines like Modern Kheti, Floriculture Today, Kheti Dunia etc. He is also an active participant in agriculture fairs and events. He believes in sharing the knowledge and he never let down any farmer who come for help. To help the farmer community, he is playing a major role as an Apni Kheti expert by contributing his knowledge.

Gurpreet Shergill has shown that if one is dedicated and hardworking, one can achieve success. And in today’s time when farmers are reeling with losses and debts and committing suicides, he stands as a torchbearer for the entire agricultural community by demonstrating that diversification is the need of the hour as well as the path to a better future for the agricultural community.

To know more about his diversified agriculture business visit his website.

Sardar Gurmail Singh

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How Gurmail Singh Made Modern Techniques His Tool to Earn Profit Out Of Vegetable Farming

Gurmail Singh is another progressive farmer from Uchagaon village of Patiala, Punjab. Despite having less land, he is reaping great profit out of it from the last 23 years by doing vegetable cultivation. He has around 17.5 acres of land out of which 11 acres he owns and has taken 6.5 acres on the contract basis.

Modern farming techniques like drip irrigation, spray irrigation, and laser leveller are some of his power tools which help him to do efficient farming and water conservation. And when it comes to pesticides usage, then he is very smart. He uses pesticides only on the recommendation of Punjab Agriculture University. Mostly he tries to use green natural manure in his fields for better yield.

The other modern technique which he is using adeptly is the light tunnel in 6 acres to grow vegetables. And some of the crops that he especially grows every season are rice, wheat, clover, cabbage, melon, tomato, eggplant, cucumber, peas and bitter gourd. To give a powerful boost to his farming venture he also took training for the preparation of hybrid seeds soy operations and other allied activities like beekeeping and dairy farming etc., from Agriculture Science Centre, Patiala.

Marketing
His vast year of experience not only includes growing different crops advantageously but he also enhanced his marketing skills, and today he has his own sales outlet at “Atma Kisan Hut (Patiala)”. Quality of his processed produce has increased his sales day by day. He has also established a soy plant under the brand name “Smart” in 2012 and under this plant, he processes and sells products such as soy milk, cheese, flour, and nuts.

Achievements
He is an inspiration for the other farmers and soon he will be honoured with the CRI Pumps Award.

Message
“Farmers should use less pesticides and chemicals in their field if they want to live a healthy life and reap good yield out of their land in the present as well as in the future.”

 

Navroop Singh

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Journey of an Engineer Turned Farmer,  Reaping Food Out Of Desert by Keeping Harmony with Nature

“With wrong farming methods, we turn fertile land into desert. Unless we go back to organic farming and save the soil, there is no future.” – Jaggi Vasudev

The soil is a wealth of living beings, and out of all the living beings, only human is capable of making changes or affecting the most precious asset of nature.

Very true said by Jaggi Vasudev that by practicing wrong farming method we are turning our fertile land into desert. But here we are going to share the story of a man- Navroop Singh Gill, who is reaping food naturally out of the desert to make soil more fertile and natural resources less poisonous.

Farming is a pursuit with which human race is blessed, and practicing it in harmony with nature can bring the treasure of wellness to the people. Navroop Singh Gill understood this fact very well, long ago and for the betterment of people and Mother Nature he decided to turn towards natural farming.

Navroop Singh Gill was doing pretty well in abroad, but then one day he decided to come back to India and help his elder brother Navdeep Singh Gill in his farming venture. Soon as he started connecting himself with the real-life issues, a sudden wave of determination and spiritual enlightenment struck him and transformed him into a new individual.

“My family was not into the farming field from the beginning. My father- Kamaljeet Singh Gill, was a businessman and he owned cotton spinning and weaving mill till 1998, but due to some financial losses and circumstantial conditions he has to shut down his mill. At that time we never thought that this unfortunate ending will lead us to a beautiful beginning…Later my father started farming (conventionally) and my elder brother also joined him after completing his studies. I joined them in 2010. ”

Earlier, Navdeep Singh Gill was doing natural farming, but not on large scale. With the support of younger brother (Navroop Singh), Navdeep expanded the farming horizon step by step. Every penny saved was a step towards expanding the natural farming practices.

Another field towards which Navroop Singh Gill was allured was dairy farming, it was his love for cows, because of which he started rearing cattle also. He started dairy farming with few cows in the beginning and slowly increased the number of animals in the farm.

In 2013, the idea of “Thar Naturals” came into the mind of both brothers, and then they decided to do everything naturally – from land preparation to harvesting. As a result, crop yield increased and it was far much better as compared to other farmers using chemicals and pesticides in their fields. Steadily Thar Natural became a renowned brand and Gill brothers added more crops in their product list.

It was Navroop Singh’s positivism and family support which turned the way of Gill family’s descending sun into rising one…

…and it was Navroop Singh Gill and his family’s effort which made their natural farming initiative recognized and honoured by Krishak Samman Puraskar in 2015.

Gill family was also nominated for 2016 – Krishak Samman Puraskar award.

In 2016, third and the youngest son (Ramandeep Singh Gill) of the Kamaljeet Singh Gill decided to come back from abroad and join his brother and this how the trinity was completed.

Navroop Singh Gill- “THAR NATURALS is a vision of Gill Family to promote natural farming on a large scale and make aware other farmers of Rajasthan and other states that high yield and quality can be easily be achieved through natural farming. And Thar Naturals would never have been possible without the whole family effort.”

Today, THAR NATURALS is producing different varieties of cereals, pulses, millet, fruits, and vegetables; basically, it can be classified into four categories, namely, Agriculture, Fertilizers, Dairy and Horticulture. They are also processing some crops like Green Mung Beans, Bengal gram, Fenugreek Seeds, Chickpeas, Aloe Vera, Flax Seeds, and Canola Oil. Some of their featured products to promote natural farming which they also use in their farms are Jeev Amrit, JIYAN, and Vermicompost. They also have dairy products like milk and desi ghee (clarified butter) of Sahiwal cow for selling purpose.

Currently, Navroop Singh Gill is residing with his family in 58-RB Village in Rai Singh Tehsil of Sri Ganganagar District in Rajasthan. Mrs. Sandeep Kaur Gill (w/o Navdeep Singh), Mrs. Gurpreet Kaur Gill (w/o Navroop Singh) and Mrs. Ramandeep Kaur Gill (w/o Ramandeep Singh) are the hidden supportive members behind Thar Natural and they perform the role of main functionary of the house.

FARM STATS
Farming Technique: Mulching for water management
Implements: Have all the necessary farming machinery like tractor, trolley, harrow, and disc.
Crops: Guar, Pearl Millet, Mung Beans, Bengal grams, Chickpeas, Fenugreek, Flax-seeds
Horticulture Crops: Kinnow, Seasonal Vegetables, Canola

Dairy Farming: Gill Family have more than 100 cows of Sahiwal Breed in their farm. Navroop Singh himself take care of them with the help of few workers.


Message
“Natural farming is the only key to success for farmers in long run.”

Navroop Singh Gill is a prime example for the young farmers who want to see themselves successful in the future in the field of agriculture. Thar Naturals is an idle case of how natural farming is equally profitable as compared to farming done by using genetically modified seeds and chemicals.