Tag: Sugarcane Farming

Karamjit Singh

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Karamjit Singh: Revitalizing Jaggery Production and Inspiring Farmers in Babbanpur

In the quaint village of Babbanpur, nestled in the heart of North India, resides a progressive farmer named Karamjit Singh. Known to most farmers in the region, Karamjit has revolutionized the jaggery production and selling through his dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to quality. With a rich family legacy in sugarcane farming, Karamjit has taken his ancestral expertise to new heights, introducing a range of unique jaggery flavors and expanding his market beyond borders. Today, Karamjit not only aspires to excel in exports but also dreams of promoting authentic Punjabi cuisine. His success story serves as an inspiration and guiding light for fellow farmers.

Karamjit Singh’s jaggery production venture has proven to be a profitable endeavor, surpassing the returns from traditional crop sales in the mandis. To establish a standard set-up, an investment of approximately Rs 18 lakhs is required. With sheer determination and meticulous planning, Karamjit manages 25 to 30 acres of sugarcane production, dedicating the entire harvest towards his jaggery production. Instead of sending the crop to mills, he channels all the raw material into his own processing unit, ensuring full control over the quality and value-added products.

By focusing on jaggery production, Karamjit has witnessed a significant increase in profits compared to conventional crop sales. The value addition and demand for his jaggery and related products have resulted in a remarkable 40% boost in overall earnings. This entrepreneurial shift has not only elevated his economic status but has also set a shining example for other farmers in the region. Karamjit’s success story serves as a testament to the potential of diversification and value addition within the agricultural sector.

Karamjit’s decision to prioritize jaggery production and invest in the necessary infrastructure has paid off. Instead of relying on the uncertain returns from selling raw sugarcane in the mandis, he has tapped into the lucrative market for jaggery and its various flavors. This strategic move has not only ensured better financial stability but has also enabled Karamjit to establish a niche for himself in the industry.

Karamjit’s journey into the world of jaggery production began with his grandfather, who started sugarcane farming and garnered numerous accolades from the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (PAU). Inspired by his grandfather’s achievements, Karamjit’s father established a sugarcane-processing unit eleven years ago, laying the foundation for Karamjit’s future endeavors.

To enhance his knowledge and skills, Karamjit sought training from the KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) cooperation and received further guidance from the PAU. Harnessing his newfound expertise, he introduced fifteen unique flavors to his jaggery production. Initially, Karamjit faced resistance from his village community, but his relentless pursuit of quality and his ability to upgrade machinery gradually won them over. Today, the villagers not only appreciate his products but also take pride in his achievements.

With a focus on marketing, Karamjit embraced social media platforms and participated in Kisan Melas (Farmer Fairs), which proved instrumental in establishing his name in the industry. Through these events, he showcased the diverse range of flavors he offered, attracting customers from far and wide. His jaggery products even found their way into international markets, marking a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.

Karamjit Singh’s exceptional achievements extend beyond jaggery production. His prowess in the agricultural domain has been recognized in various fields, including dairy farming. His dedication and expertise led to receiving prestigious awards in this realm, establishing him as a notable figure closely associated with the Punjab Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA). In 2019, Karamjit’s remarkable efforts were acknowledged when he secured the first award from the esteemed Punjab Agricultural University. Moreover, his excellence in farming practices earned him a place among the top five farmers honored at the Chief Minister Awards. His talent was further recognized with a prize from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal.

Karamjit’s pursuit of excellence did not stop at dairy farming alone. His passion for agriculture led him to diversify his endeavors. In addition to sugarcane farming, he cultivates corn and cotton on 25 acres of his land. With a keen eye for sustainability, Karamjit utilizes the byproducts of his sugarcane production as a valuable resource. The residues serve a dual purpose, being utilized as both a renewable fuel source and nutrient-rich organic manure. Furthermore, Karamjit has ventured into dairy farming, where he has earned numerous accolades year after year. At present, his livestock comprises five cows and five buffaloes, contributing to his thriving agricultural enterprise.

Karamjit encountered several challenges along the way. Maintaining the quality of his products required close supervision of labor, ensuring consistency and excellence. Additionally, marketing his products effectively on social media platforms demanded creative strategies and continuous engagement. However, with perseverance and determination, Karamjit overcame these obstacles, establishing a strong foothold in the market.

Karamjit’s success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of his joint family. Their belief in his vision and dedication has fueled his journey. Moreover, Karamjit’s children have also shown immense interest in his work, paving the way for a promising future.

Looking ahead, Karamjit aims to focus on expanding his export business and promoting authentic Punjabi cuisine, including delicacies such as corn bread, mustard leaf curry, and buttermilk. He envisions his products reaching every corner of the globe, highlighting the rich flavors of his region. Furthermore, Karamjit continues to engage in D practices, cultivating corn and cotton on his additional land.

Message to farmers

Driven by a desire to uplift fellow farmers, Karamjit aspires to be a beacon of guidance for those seeking to venture into jaggery production. He encourages farmers to closely observe his operations, from setting up the infrastructure to marketing the final products. Karamjit believes that sharing knowledge and experiences is vital for the growth and prosperity of the agricultural community.

Paramjit Singh

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A farmer who conquered high ground at an early age- Paramjit Singh

Living according to nature is a big thing in itself. Whatever we eat or drink today is all given to us by Mother Nature. It is upon us to keep it this way only. If we follow its fundamental rules, we will never get sick and lead a healthy life.

A farmer, Paramjit Singh, residing in Katahri village near Ludhiana, tends to preserve the gift of nature and nourish it. It is not easy to connect with nature, but it is essential to protect it for the future.

He fell in love with nature so much that he quit his job to serve it in the right way. He used this to cure a lot of diseases such as Blood Pressure, Diabetes, etc.

A person, who truly loves his work and is passionate enough, starts doing it in a fun way to enjoy himself. Therefore, he got training in various courses and decided to work with Indigenous (Desi) seeds. Working with indigenous seeds such as Ragi, Kangani, etc., took him to a platform where he became an inspiration for others.

While I was working in a Millet research centre, I came to know about the seeds of Ragi and Kangani. I then started doing research on these seeds- Paramjit Singh

He started growing Ragi and Kangani on the fields as an experiment. Later, he was so impressed by the results that he decided to grow indigenous seeds at his own level and pursue business in the same.

As the business started to grow, we started visiting Mela, and from there, we got a lot of recognition- Paramjit Singh

His friends helped him in the process; they worked in a group and visited different places for marketing. He had 3 acres of land near his village, where he also grew vegetable seedlings. He has a Pannu Natural Farm named business there and various farmers visit it for buying the seedlings.

The problem arose when Paramjit had to make people aware of the indigenous seeds and organic farming. Most of the people from his village had the mindset that they are doing cultivation for a very long time, and Paramjit is not capable enough to tell them anything about the farming culture. Even after such obstacles, he never gave up and started to grow his business and promote it to a higher level.

He imported the seeds and a Ragi plant when he started the business, and now that plant is being grown on several acres. Paramjit went to Hyderabad for training and, after that, started working on seeds in Punjab. He did research on the seeds and started to produce new seeds, making new products out of them. Starting from the production to the packaging, everything is done by him alone. While Paramjit does this work, his friend has his own machine for making designs for his products.

When we started producing various items, we made a group and registered it through ATMA- Paramjit Singh

He made the following products:-

  • Pearl Millet flour (Bajre da atta)
  • Pearl Millet biscuits (Bajre de biscuits)
  • Pearl Millet porridge (Bajre da dahlia)
  • Finger Millet flour (Ragi da atta)
  • Finger Millet flour (Ragi de biscuit)
  • Biscuits of Green Ragi (Hari Ragi de biscuit)
  • Beetroot Powder (Chukandar da powder)
  • Desi shakar
  • Jaggery
  • Suhajana da powder
  • Desi kanak diya seviya, etc.

Paramjit does everything with his own hands, from sowing seeds to selling the products. He believes that the work done by ourselves gives us more satisfaction than relying on others. He can do marketing from his home through social media platforms, but he chooses not to and goes outside and does everything on his own.

Today, Paramjit Singh is on such a stage that everyone comes to him to get information about the indigenous seeds. Apart from that, he guides people about natural farming also. People know him by his work more than his name.

He is awarded various awards, such as the Young Farmer award on district-level and more, from different universities for his work and passion. Paramjit Singh also gets multiple opportunities to visit exhibitions and is more prevalent in South India as he is the only farmer in Punjab who started indigenous seed cultivation and also educates others.

The plants get the natural fertilizers from the soil itself. I have never used chemical fertilizers- Paramjit Singh 

He has proved that we should not waste the gifts of nature. If you eat organic food, you will never need to have medicines. The people who have bought products organically farmed by Paramjit cured diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, etc.

FUTURE PLANS

He wants to grow his business to the next level and have a processing machine in the field. Additionally, he wants to make everyone aware of the benefits of organic farming; this would conserve nature and make people healthy.

MESSAGE

To become successful in agriculture, one should be more focused on organic farming. To practice organic farming, one should always start with a small scale of land. The young farmers should be well educated about organic farming so that the cultivation could be done chemical-free and health issues can be prevented.

Bhupinder Singh Bargari

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How This Son Stepped Into His Father’s Shoes So Perfectly by Reinventing His Father Jaggery Processing Business at a Greater Level

This story is all about, how a son (Bhupinder Singh Bargari) prosperously carried out his father’s (Sukhdev Singh Bargari) occupational work and came up with the famous Jaggery Brand- BARGARI in Punjab.

There was a time when the ox was used to extract the sugarcane juice to make Jaggery out of it. But as the time evolved machines came into function for the sugarcane juice extraction. Moreover, due to indiscriminate use of chemical and color in making gudd, this coarse sweetener lost all its charm and slowly people got attracted towards the crystal of white sugar.

Still, many families prefer jaggery over sugar and they use the traditional method to make Jaggery from sugarcane juice. This is the story of Sukhdev Singh Bargari and his son- Bhupinder Singh Bargari. In 1972, Sukhdev Singh used to sharpen the tools and equipment of the farmers and in return he uses to take grains, vegetables or whatever the farmers offer, as his daily wage. After some time, he purchased an engine and started making jaggery from it. His pure traditional method of Jaggery extraction and no use of chemicals made his Gudd famous and many villagers started giving him sugarcane crop to make Gudd for it. Sukhdev used to do this work mainly from mid of November to March.

There came a time when Sukhdev’s hard work came with the real zest and the demand of jaggery made by him increased to multiple times. This is a matter of 2011 when his daughter was getting married. At that time he distributed a sweet made up of jaggery, desi ghee (clarified butter) and dry fruits with the wedding invitation cards to all his relatives and friends. Everyone relished that sweet very much and demanded him to make more for them, and at that stage, his son- Bhupinder Singh Bargari decided to take hold of his father’s work and expand it to a grander level. After this instance, the father-son duo started making two types of jaggery- one with dry fruits and another without.

Bargari family’s traditional method of cleaning the sugarcane juice with the slimy substance of okra made their product superior than the artificial jaggery made by using chemical and color. Their pure and clean method of making jaggery made Sukhdev Singh and Bhupinder Singh popular and people start recognizing them for their work.

Just following father’s footstep is not what Bhupinder Singh Bargari is up to. Mr. Bhupinder holds the degree of B.Ed. and MA and after that, he has also cleared ETT Teacher Exam and he is working as a school teacher. After getting free from his teaching profession he daily makes out time for the jaggery business.

In order to make this traditional sweetener more popular, Bhupinder started farming sugarcane of C085 variety in 2 acres area and also formed a Self-Help-Group through which he motivated farmer-members of the group to grow sugarcane. This step of Bhupinder resulted in farming sugarcane as much as needed, which reaped great profit to farmers as well as to Bargari family.

From last 5 years, Jaggery produced by Bargari family has won 4 times first prize and one-time second prize in the competition organized by PAU. In 2014, they also won Udami Kisan State Award for good quality jaggery. Bhupinder Singh also went to Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow and discussed his marketing techniques with them in National Jaggery Sammelan. This is not the only approach that he took to spread the awareness for Jaggery marketing. He also participated in PAU event held in March, to enlighten the farmers with the marketing knowledge for their betterment.

Establishment of his own processing plant…
Jaggery Processing Plant

Currently, he has his own Jaggery Processing Plant at Kot Kapura-Bathinda road, where he processes pure Gudd (Jaggery) by following their own traditional method. The demand of Gudd and Shakkar (Jaggery Powder) increases in winter because the tea made up of pure jaggery (made from traditional method) don’t have any harmful effect on human body. Even, the specialist of Gastroenterologist (Stomach Doctors) of that particular area also started recommending their patients to eat gudd (Jaggery) made by the Bargari Family.

Cereal Crops Processing Plant

Other than this Bhupinder also have his own cereal processing plant at the same place, where he processes wheat, maize, barley, sorghum, and mustard grown by the members of his SHG. Along with the processing plant, he has also opened a store, through which he sells his processed products.

How the brand was named:

After knowing about the recommendations of the doctors about his Jaggery, he was very influenced by it and he decided “Bargari Jaggery” as his brand name.

Bhupinder also has an FB Page by the name “Bargari Jaggery” through which he communicates with the ideal customers. He has also discussed the whole procedure of Jaggery making through his FB Page.

He always maintains a continuous contact with the food technology and food processing and engineering departments of Agricultural University to bring positive changes in his business.

Today, Bhupinder Singh gives all the credit to his father- Mr. Sukhdev Singh Bargari for whatever he has achieved in his life. Apart from running a successful business, Bhupinder Singh Bargari is also a good teacher and is helping the people and kids of the village Kothe Kehar Singh village of Faridkot district. Many articles have been published in the local newspaper about his good deeds. He not only wants to help the farmers but also to inspire the youngsters and help them with his work and knowledge.

Well, this father-and-son duo worked successfully and has reached up to this level in their lives, just because of the understanding they had in between them. In future also Bhupinder Singh Bargari will continue his good work and will keep inspiring the young generation farmers with his knowledge.


Message:
“
I want farmers to get involved in food processing business along with farming. In this way, they can make a good profit out of their occupation. Today, farmers need to be updated with the modern agricultural practices only then they can move ahead and do well in their fields.
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