Farming

Coming from an agricultural family, Kanchan Verma from Madhya Pradesh took up farming soon after her marriage. Along with growing vegetables, wheat, and maize, the BA graduate tried turmeric for the first time in 2020. The decision proved fruitful, bringing her higher returns. Here’s how.

Two sisters Namita Rawat Negi and Manisha Gosain in Dehradun left their life in the city to start a gooseberry and mango farm. Today, their lush hillside farmland yields amla, mangoes, brinjals, tomatoes, and lemons — earning them lakhs while reviving sustainable farming in the region.

Make the most of the late August window to prepare for off-season vegetable growing. This guide helps farmers plan with the right crops, efficient resource use, and smart techniques to guarantee strong yields when others aren’t planting.

Rang De works on a peer-to-peer lending model, which enables small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs by making decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions accessible through low-cost credit.

From onions and mushrooms to strawberries and processing units, SumArth’s holistic model transformed farming across 500 villages — turning recurring costs into recurring income.

When rubber farming became unprofitable due to cheap imports, Biju Narayanan of Kannur, Kerala, shifted to cultivating exotic fruits like rambutan, mangosteen, and pepper. Employing high-density farming and multi-level cropping, he now earns up to Rs 15 lakh per acre.

Vaishali Patil’s love for her mother sparked a revival of this wheat variety in Jalgaon, transforming two acres into a 1,500-acre farming movement.

After a successful career in the steel industry, 78-year-old HR Iyer chose a quieter, more meaningful life by turning to organic farming in Kodaikanal. Swapping machines for earthworms, he transformed 18-acres of land into a thriving farm, finding purpose, peace, and inspiration in nurturing nature and growing his own food.

Pritpal Singh turned to a soil-less, solar-powered hydroponic system — transforming his farm’s yield, income, and energy footprint

Meet five extraordinary changemakers transforming Indian agriculture with bold ideas, indigenous wisdom, and innovations that are quietly reshaping the way India farms, eats, and thrives. This September, Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by the M3M Foundation, is honouring their impact.