In the heart of Faridkot’s Kotkapura tehsil, a 59-year-old tenant farmer, Manjit Singh, has redefined the narrative of agricultural success. Despite never owning land, he has crafted a thriving farming venture that shines as a beacon of innovation, perseverance, and quality-first tactics.
Roots and Resolve
Singh’s story begins with adversity. A graduate and skilled stenographer, he hailed from a family that once owned just 2.5 acres. When his mother’s long illness forced the sale of the land in the mid-1980s, his family became landless. Singh did not yield to despair; instead, he immersed himself in agricultural learning, working with Punjab Agricultural University on Integrated Pest Management for cotton and Basmati, and later with multinational pesticide firms.
Turning Turmeric into Opportunity
By the 1990s, Singh began renting small tracts of farmland. Over time, he focused exclusively on cultivating turmeric, a strategic pivot that paid handsomely. Farming nearly 10 acres of leased land, he earns about ₹4 lakh per acre each year, even after paying ₹80,000 per acre in rent, featured The Indian Express.
Turmeric is a low-water crop, sown in April and harvested by February. Singh produces 90 to 100 quintals of raw turmeric per acre, processing it into 15 to 16 quintals of powder that retail at ₹400 per kg, with wholesale prices at ₹300. Meticulous quality control and a reputation built by word-of-mouth have brought him orders from across India as well as abroad.
Building Beyond Turmeric
Singh’s agricultural portfolio includes garlic, ginger, Basmati, and barley. His expertise has earned him the nickname “Kheti Da Doctor”, or Doctor of Agriculture, a testament to how other farmers rely on him for advice. His success has been recognized by Punjab Agricultural University, Haryana Agricultural University, and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Pusa.
Charting a New Path for Tenant Farmers
Despite his achievements, Singh faces systemic disadvantages. Government subsidies and farming incentives often bypass tenant farmers like him. He stresses a critical point: “Subsidies should reach those who cultivate, not idle landowners.” Tenant farmers make up 20 to 30 percent of Punjab’s agricultural workforce, yet the policy framework fails to support them appropriately.
He also calls for agricultural diversification, urging a move away from monoculture crops like wheat and paddy toward sustainable, mixed-cropping systems that reduce soil depletion and water stress.
Legacy of Hard Work and Vision
Singh’s success narrative transcends profit; it is a lesson in resilience and innovation. He reminds us that landlessness is not destiny, and that dedication is the true key to transformation. His motto, “Haldi is Healthy,” embodies both the vitality of his product and the spirit behind his journey.
Photo Credit: The Indian Express
