Manjeet Singh, a 40-year-old farmer from Mansa, Punjab, was once burdened with a debt of Rs 7 lakh. Today, he has turned his life around and earns Rs 20-25 lakh annually through innovative farming methods on his 5-acre land. His success is a testament to determination, hard work, and the power of new agricultural techniques.
From Debt to Success
A decade ago, Manjeet Singh was struggling with debt. In a bold move, he mortgaged his wife’s earrings to gather enough money to start a small farming venture. With just one marla (160th of an acre) of land, he began cultivating onion nurseries and seasonal vegetables. Within 1.5 years, he not only cleared his debt but also expanded his farming operations.
Today, he earns five times more from each acre of land compared to traditional paddy and wheat farming. His farm, “Harjot Nursery Farm,” provides permanent and seasonal employment to ten people, including women.
Innovative Farming Practices
Manjeet’s main success comes from growing onion seeds and nurseries. He cultivates the famous X 1004 onion variety, known for its copper color and unique flavor, on 2.5 acres of land.
- Onion Seed Cultivation: For each acre, Manjeet uses 12 quintals of onions as seeds, spending around Rs 1.25 lakh in total. He produces around 2.25 quintals of onion seeds per acre, selling them for Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh per quintal. After covering all expenses, he takes home a profit of Rs 5 lakh per acre.
- Onion Nurseries: On another 1.5 acres, he grows onion nursery plants that he sells to farmers across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. From just one acre of nursery, farmers can plant 35–40 acres of onions, making it a lucrative business for Manjeet.
Diversifying crops for more income
Manjeet doesn’t stop at onions. After selling his nursery plants in January, he grows seasonal vegetables and other crops like cauliflower, brinjal, tomatoes, and chillies. He also experiments with growing short-duration paddy varieties.
These additional crops, along with his onion seeds and nurseries, allow him to generate a substantial income, far surpassing traditional farming methods.
The turning point: attending Kisan Melas
Manjeet’s journey to success began when he started attending Kisan Melas organized by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Inspired by the innovative farming techniques showcased by other farmers, he decided to try growing vegetables and onion seeds on his land. His success in these new ventures has earned him recognition and several awards, including first prize for his onion seed variety in Punjab and Haryana.
Expansion into Soybean Seeds
In 2023-24, Manjeet expanded his farming ventures by growing soybean seeds for the first time. This new experiment has been met with great success, proving that Punjab’s fertile land is suitable for a wide range of crops.
Impact on the Local Community
Manjeet’s success story has not only transformed his own life but has also inspired many other farmers in his village. With training from PAU and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), he has shared his knowledge and techniques, helping other farmers switch to more sustainable and profitable crops.
Gurdeep Singh, deputy director at KVK Mansa, praised Manjeet’s contribution to Punjab’s agriculture, noting that his story is motivating younger farmers to adopt innovative farming methods.
FAQs
- How did Manjeet Singh start his successful farming business?
Manjeet Singh started by mortgaging his wife’s earrings to fund a small onion nursery on one marla of land. Through hard work and innovative farming techniques, he expanded his operations and cleared his debt within 1.5 years. - What crops does Manjeet Singh grow?
Manjeet grows onion seeds, nurseries, and seasonal vegetables like cauliflower, brinjal, tomatoes, and chillies. He recently started growing soybean seeds as well. - How much does Manjeet earn annually from his farming ventures?
Manjeet Singh now earns Rs 20-25 lakh annually from his 5-acre farm after covering all expenses.
