Nowadays, many young people in our country are trying their hand at farming and finding success. Jitendra Mann, from Gharmgarh village in Panipat, is one of them. He left his job in the dairy sector and shifted to agriculture, successfully cultivating many varieties of fruits and vegetables on his 12 acres of land and earning around 15 lakhs per annum.
Jitendra started his career as a low-salaried employee at Mother Dairy, where he worked for 9–10 years. "My salary at Mother Dairy was barely enough to save anything, and I was looking for an alternative to get a stable income," Jitendra recalls. His life took a turn in 2015 when his uncle suggested setting up a polyhouse.
Navigating Challenges and Finding Success
Following his uncle's advice, Jitendra began his polyhouse farming journey with cucumbers and soon expanded to other vegetables and fruits, including berries and lemons. He also ventured into floriculture. "I grew gerberas, lilies, and carnations and marketed them in Ghazipur, Delhi," he shares. However, the path to success was not easy. The berry plants and lemon trees did not yield good results initially. Seeking help, Jitendra consulted the local Horticulture Department in Ladwa. They advised him to create his own mother block—a designated area for cultivating genetically pure, healthy, and disease-free plants of a specific fruit variety—alongside planting saplings. "The support from the Ladwa Center showed me a new path," Jitendra explains. By following this guidance, he resolved his issues and began seeing positive outcomes.
Jitendra then planted Red Diamond guava plants in his field. At that time, each plant cost between 100 and 150 rupees. "Planting 700 Red Diamond guava plants in one acre cost around 1 to 1.5 lakhs, but with the 50,000 rupees grant from the Horticulture Department, I planted it successfully," Jitendra notes.
Today, Jitendra expertly manages 12 acres of farmland. He dedicates 5 acres to a fruit garden and the remaining land to staple crops like wheat and cumin. His orchard is abundant with diverse fruit varieties, including peaches, mangoes, apples, papayas, pomegranates, lemons, oranges, and figs.
Sustainable Farming Approach
Jitendra prefers organic farming, "I use only organic manure, waste decomposer, and Jeev Amrit," he emphasizes, proudly stating that no chemicals touch his fields. His innovative use of neem leaf spray ensures natural pest control, showcasing his dedication to sustainability.
Strategic Marketing and Entrepreneurial Spirit
To maximize his profits, Jitendra has developed a unique marketing strategy. He supplies flowers to decorative shops and operates his own outlet for fruits like guava, peach, apple, and sweet lime. This approach ensures quality control and direct customer engagement. "Having my own outlet allows me to maintain high standards and fair pricing," he explains.
Jitendra grows three varieties of apples, which are sold in the market for 150-200 rupees per kilogram. He also cultivates mango varieties like Amrapali, Arunika, Ambika, Lalima, and Swarn Rekha. In addition, he grows guava varieties such as Hisar Safeda, Taiwan Pink, and Red Diamond. The Red Diamond guava, also known as Lal Hira, sells for about 130 to 150 rupees per kilogram.
Jitendra has also planted marigolds as an intercrop, investing around 30,000 rupees, which earned him about 1 lakh. This addition of marigold intercropping proved profitable and further increased his income.
Overall, Jitendra earns 10 to 15 lakh rupees annually from nursery work and approximately 80,000 to 1 lakh rupees from wheat and cumin cultivation.
Inspiring Future Generations of Farmers
Jitendra Mann's journey from a dairy employee to a successful organic farmer earning lakhs annually is a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and sustainability in agriculture. Giving a message to the youth, Jitendra said, “Youth should definitely go for gardening because gardens are very important for our life." Jitendra Mann advises that farmers should pursue gardening after receiving good training and should farm in a modern way by obtaining accurate market information.
Jitendra's story offers invaluable insights and motivation to aspiring farmers across the nation. "Farming isn't just my livelihood; it's my passion," he reflects, encouraging others to follow their dreams.
