Phuman Singh Kaurra grew up because the youngest amongst six siblings in Paramjitpura, a village in Kapurthala, Punjab. Hailing from a farmer’s household, he noticed his father and grandfather toil within the fields, struggling to make ends meet.
The scenario was so dire that Phuman Singh needed to discontinue his training after BA second yr. He began serving to his household as they might now not afford his faculty charges. He would work of their paddy and wheat discipline, together with working their dairy farm. Noting that this wasn’t worthwhile and could be unsustainable in the long term, the younger boy began different choices to enhance their monetary situation.
Whereas wanting round, Phuman Singh discovered carrot farming to be a viable choice. Paramjitpura, often known as Allupur, falls within the Sultanpur Lodhi block in Kapurthala district which is a well-known hub for carrot cultivation. Subsequently, he sought assist from a carrot farmer who was cultivating the vegetable on a small piece of land.
Nonetheless, as a substitute of serving to him, the farmer chided him saying that this is able to not be his cup of tea. Spurned, it solely made Phuman’s resolve to make a reputation for himself as a carrot farmer stronger. And over the previous 30 years, this 65-year-old has confirmed that farmer improper and the way.
Beginning on a 4.5 acre land, Phuman circled his household’s fortunes by way of carrot farming.
At this time, his household, together with his two brothers, owns over 80 acres of land, primarily targeted on carrot farming. Past rising carrots, he additionally provides seeds — sufficient to plant over 650 acres.
Farming along with his son, he earns over Rs 1 crore a yr at the moment by way of carrot and seed cultivation.
Carrot: The highway to prosperity
As a younger boy, Phuman Singh had massive ambitions. He wished to go overseas for greater training and work. Nonetheless, his goals have been reduce quick as a result of poverty.
“Since I couldn’t go overseas, I began engaged on our wheat and paddy farm. We might promote the milk from our dairy and since that wasn’t sufficient, I additionally labored on a poultry farm for 2 years,” Phuman Singh shares with The Higher India.
Keenly conscious of his environment and the profitability of carrots, Phuman Singh launched into a journey to prosperity beginning in 1993. In response to the Punjab Agricultural College, carrot is grown in over 1,200 hectares of land within the district, primarily being confined to Sultanpur Lodhi.
“The farmer who refused to assist me ignited a spark in me. That day I advised him that I’ll make a reputation for myself by way of carrots and present you chacha (uncle),” he remembers.
Studying books and visiting the agricultural college close by, he learnt the nitty gritties of carrot farming. He then proceeded to boldly plant carrot seeds in all 4.5 acres of their household land. The experiment proved profitable and there was no wanting again ever since.
“Carrots have by no means disillusioned me,” smiles the 65-year-old.
Who says that one wants a level to succeed? Formidable, resilient and sensible, Phuman Singh jumped head first into carrot farming. He made up for that by way of his resourcefulness. He attended the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) programmes and learnt about newer varieties and methods which he utilized in his farm.
Initially, they must sow the seeds manually and journey to markets so far as Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar to promote the produce. Nonetheless, over time, they secured machines to sow the seeds. As the standard of their carrots was good they usually earned a reputation for themselves, sellers began coming to their farm. At this time, Phuman Singh doesn’t have to go to any market to promote his produce, the market involves him.
He has achieved mastery in carrot cultivation, in keeping with Dr Harinder Singh, Affiliate Director, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kapurthala. “Vegetable cultivation isn’t any joke. It takes perfection, and includes lots of danger as gross sales usually are not assured. Singh has been rising carrots for over 30 years, and has perfected the artwork,” says Dr Harinder.
Sowing seeds for a brighter future
Because the land underneath use elevated from 4.5 acres to over 30 acres, the Allupur resident determined to start out rising his personal seeds too.
“We might earlier purchase seeds from Patiala. About 10 years again, we first began rising seeds for our personal use. As the standard and output was good, we slowly began producing extra seeds, which others began buying. At this time, we now have ample seeds to plant over 650 acres,” he shares.
He sells the seeds for Rs 1,000-1,500 per kg, relying on the demand. Folks from throughout the district purchase their seeds, he claims.
From proudly owning 4.5 acres of land when he took over, his household at the moment owns a complete of 80 acres of land, out of which 37 belongs to Phuman Singh. He will likely be leasing 13 extra acres to domesticate carrots on a complete of fifty acres of this land.
Carrots are sown between 15 September to fifteen October and observe a 90-100 day harvesting cycle. He harvests the carrots from 20 December to 25 March.
“We harvest not less than 110 quintals of carrots per acre, which may additionally go as much as 250 quintals. When the charges are good, you may earn very effectively by way of this humble vegetable,” he says.
In addition to carrots, he additionally cultivates rice and maize, which is harvested in September. He claims to earn an revenue of Rs 1 crore per yr.
From not with the ability to go overseas for his research, he has now been capable of ship each his sons overseas for his or her training (one in every of whom has returned to assist him), purchased a home, over 30 acres of land, together with the newest tools.
“All this occurred due to carrot farming. They by no means broke my coronary heart,” he says.
Phuman Singh’s residence additionally doubles up as a carrot farming faculty, the place he helps anybody . No younger farmer is distributed away with out their questions being answered.
“We’ve got not less than 4 farmers who come residence day by day to be taught. I clarify no matter I do know intimately. I even go to their farms to show them virtually. I’m at all times obtainable to assist,” he shares.
To each aspiring farmer, he says, “Don’t lose hope. All you’ll want to succeed is dedication. Nothing is not possible.”
Edited by Padmashree Pande, Pictures Courtesy Phuman Singh
