Success Story: This farmer from Himachal Pradesh brought revolution in his life through crop diversification

Success Story: Through crop diversification, Pawan Kumar, a forward-thinking farmer from the hamlet of Gondpur in Vikas Khand Haroli, District Una, Himachal Pradesh, has revolutionized his life. In the past, he could hardly sustain his family via conventional maize and wheat farming; now, he produces vegetables and earns Rs 12–14 lakh a year. His accomplishments have inspired not only him but also the farmers in the area as a whole.

Pawan Kumar has shown that a farmer can become an agricultural entrepreneur and improve his financial situation with the correct direction and diligence. In light of this, please provide us with specifics of the achievements of forward-thinking farmer Pawan Kumar today.

Traditional farming is causing difficulties for the family

For many years, progressive farmer Pawan Kumar cultivated maize and wheat on his about 15 kanal of land. However, the family found it difficult to make ends meet because of the very little revenue from this. He often had to take out loans to cover the growing costs, the children’s schooling, and other necessary household needs. Due to the very low revenue from conventional farming, he was unable to realize his goal of giving his kids a quality education.

Crop diversification begins

Pawan Kumar’s life took a new turn a few years ago as a result of the Agriculture Department’s technical assistance. He received information regarding crop diversification and an explanation of its significance from the Agriculture Department. Growing several crops in the same field is known as crop diversification because it not only preserves the soil’s fertility but also boosts the farmer’s revenue. Taking this advice to heart, Pawan Kumar began growing vegetables in his fields in addition to maize and wheat.

Assistance from the Department of Agriculture

Pawan Kumar vegetable seeds and agricultural equipment, such as spray pumps and seed treatment tubs, were subsidized by the Agriculture Department. He was able to lower agricultural expenses as a result. Pawan Kumar enlarged his fields and encouraged vegetable production with the department’s help and his own diligence. His farming area grew from 15 kanals to 60 kanals after he also leased some land.

The cultivation of vegetables boosted revenue

In his fields, Pawan Kumar began growing vegetables, including bottle gourd, cucumber, cowpea, bitter gourd, pumpkin, and zucchini. He began to get a decent price since there is always a demand for these veggies on the market. He informed Krishi Jagran that during a Kharif season, his farms yield around ten quintals of cucumbers, eight to ten quintals of pumpkin, two quintals of cowpeas, and one quintal of zucchini. He makes between Rs 12 and 14 lakh in this manner.

Employment creation even during the Corona era

In addition to carrying on with his farming during the Corona outbreak when the whole nation was under lockdown, Pawan Kumar also provided jobs for a large number of the village’s women. He employed eight to ten laborers to harvest crops in his fields during May and June of 2020. In addition to taking care of his crops, this gave the villagers a way to make money.

Children’s higher education and the health of the family

Together, Pawan Kumar and his spouse work in agriculture. His family’s financial situation has improved because of the extra revenue from crop diversification. It was always his desire to send his children to reputable universities for further study, and now he is doing so. His family takes pleasure in his accomplishments.

Crop diversification’s importance

The success story of Pawan Kumar emphasizes how crucial crop diversification is. In addition to boosting his income, growing vegetables helped him establish himself as an agricultural entrepreneur. He demonstrated that, with the correct direction and modern technology, farmers can likewise transform their lives.