Farming

From small farms and forgotten hillsides to solar dryers and 100-sq-ft grow rooms, Indians across the country reshaped agriculture in 2025. These 10 stories capture the ideas, care and courage that made farming more profitable and human-centred.

Mushroom farming is one of the easiest ventures to start at home with little space and low investment. This beginner’s guide walks you through the basics of setting up a small-scale farm, choosing the right variety, and ensuring a healthy harvest.

Kashmir’s new Chrysanthemum Garden, Bagh-e-Gul-e-Dawood, with over 30 lakh blooms, has transformed the once-quiet autumn season into a vibrant tourist draw. The influx of visitors has revived livelihoods, offering hope to locals who faced months of uncertainty.

After losing her husband and watching her home burn down, Bandipora’s Asiya Begum returned to her father’s house with nothing. She began growing mushrooms and vegetables on a small rooftop — a venture that now earns her Rs 35,000–40,000 a month and inspires women across Kashmir.

Winter cropping does not have to be passive. When fields hold a mix of species, the soil undergoes a steady process of regeneration. It is time to learn how diversity in winter plants enriches nutrients, improves structure, and strengthens long-term soil health.

Beekeeping offers a sustainable, profitable alternative for farmers and urbanites alike. With just a one-time investment, it enriches biodiversity and supports food security. Anyone over 15 can start with minimal space and time.

A Delhi homemaker, Suman Sukhija, turned her free time into a purpose — and built Orange Herb, a Rs 40 lakh Cordyceps (unique mushrooms) brand, from a 10x10 room with no science background. Today, she trains over 1,000 people and inspires women to pursue financial independence.

Learn how to grow barley and oats as winter crops with effective soil preparation, cultivation methods, and disease management. Understand harvesting strategies and market potential to boost yields, enhance soil health, and increase farm profitability.

Maharashtra-based expert farmer Savita Sunil Dakle shares practical tips to protect soil health during winter. From boosting microbial activity and preventing compaction to managing pH, controlling erosion, and retaining moisture, these solutions address key challenges faced by Indian farmers.

Bharati didn’t wait for perfect conditions or acres of land — she began with a small shed, a few grow lights, and the courage to experiment. Soon, strawberries, basil, and lettuce were thriving in stacked layers, growing her income and a high-tech farming model she now teaches to others.