Intercropping Farming model Turmeric and Pulses

Summary

In this inspiring story from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, Varun Pratap Singh, a former corporate employee with a 55 lakh salary, left his job to embrace farming. In just three years, his 100-acre farm with crops like turmeric, toor dal, and seasonal vegetables has yielded impressive results. With a profit of around 1.3 lakh per acre from his turmeric and dal intercropping model, Varun's success highlights the potential for profit in sustainable agriculture. He shares insights on soil preparation, crop intercropping, and organic practices, proving that with innovation and patience, farming can be as rewarding as a corporate career.

Takeaways

• 😀 Transition from Corporate to Farming: Varun Pratap Singh Baghel left a lucrative corporate career in Vedanta Ltd. to take over his family’s land in Vidisha, MP, and has earned more from farming within three years than his corporate salary.
• 😀 Farming Model: Varun integrated turmeric (haldi) and pigeon pea (tuar dal) cultivation on 30 acres, earning a net profit of ₹1,30,000 per acre in just 6 months. This model is simple yet highly effective, with minimal maintenance and labor costs.
• 😀 Profit Growth: The farm's revenue has grown significantly, with ₹35 lakhs in revenue in 2022 and a projected ₹70 lakhs in 2023, showing rapid scaling of farming operations.
• 😀 Low-Cost Crop Production: Varun uses an intercropping model where turmeric and pigeon pea grow together, doubling profits without requiring additional labor, as both crops need minimal maintenance.
• 😀 Soil and Bed Preparation: The farm's black, heavy, and clay-like soil is ideal for turmeric, as its roots don't penetrate deeply. The beds are raised to ensure good water drainage and prevent waterlogging.
• 😀 Seed Savings: Initially, turmeric seeds cost ₹30,000 per acre, but after two years of growing and saving seeds from previous harvests, the cost per acre reduced to ₹15,000, drastically cutting costs.
• 😀 Efficient Crop Management: Raised beds and proper drainage systems ensure the growth of turmeric, while pigeon pea provides nitrogen fixation, improving soil quality and reducing fertilizer needs.
• 😀 Marketing and Harvesting: Harvesting turmeric and pigeon pea requires manual labor, but once harvested, the produce is processed and sold at a high price, with turmeric currently fetching ₹20 per kg in the market.
• 😀 Profit from Pigeon Pea: Pigeon pea yields approximately 8 quintals per acre, adding ₹40,000–₹45,000 extra revenue per acre, with almost no additional costs for fertilizers or pesticides.
• 😀 Focus on Value Addition: With plans to process and add value to their crops, Varun is aiming to increase profits even further through product processing, building expertise, and expanding production.
• 😀 Holistic Farming Approach: Varun's farm integrates organic practices, minimal chemical use, and combines various crops like turmeric, pigeon pea, and even melon varieties, ensuring diversified income streams.

Q & A

What farming model is being followed on the farm in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh?

The farm in Vidisha follows an innovative farming model where intercropping is done with turmeric and pigeon pea (toor dal). This method has proven to be highly profitable with minimal maintenance costs. The farm grows multiple crops like turmeric, bell peppers, green chilies, melons, and cucumbers.

Why did the farm owner, Varun Pratap Singh Baghel, decide to switch from a corporate job to farming?

Varun Pratap Singh Baghel left his high-paying corporate job with Vedanta Limited after ten years because he wanted to pursue his interest in farming. He believed that by using proper techniques and adding value to his crops, he could earn more than his job offered. His move was driven by a passion for agriculture and a desire to create a sustainable livelihood.

What crops are being grown on the 30-acre farm?

On the 30-acre farm, turmeric is grown on 30 acres, while pigeon pea (toor dal) is intercropped within the turmeric fields. Additionally, bell peppers are grown on 7 acres, green chilies on 1.5 acres, and melons (cantaloupe and watermelon) on 1 acre. The farm also plans to plant cucumbers on 55 acres.

What is the profit generated from the 30-acre farm within six months?

The farm generates a profit of approximately ₹40 lakh (₹4 million) over a period of six months from the 30 acres. This is after covering all the expenses, including labor, inputs, and processing.

How much did the farm owner’s salary increase during his time at Vedanta Limited before he left his job?

Before leaving his job at Vedanta Limited, Varun Pratap Singh Baghel was earning a salary of around ₹55 lakh annually. He was expecting a promotion that would have raised his salary to around ₹70 lakh, and eventually, with another promotion, it could have reached ₹1.5 crore over the next few years.

What was the revenue from turmeric farming in the last year, and what is the expected revenue for this year?

In the last year, the revenue from turmeric farming was approximately ₹35 lakh. For the current year, the expected revenue is about ₹70 lakh, reflecting a significant growth in production and sales.

How does the combination of turmeric and pigeon pea benefit the farm's productivity?

The combination of turmeric and pigeon pea is highly effective because the pigeon pea fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving soil health. This reduces the need for additional fertilizers and supports the growth of turmeric. Additionally, both crops are low-maintenance, which helps keep costs down while maximizing yields.

What type of soil is best for growing turmeric, and what are the key factors for successful cultivation?

Turmeric grows best in black, clayey, or loamy soil, which holds moisture well and provides strong root support. The soil should be well-drained to avoid waterlogging, as turmeric is sensitive to stagnant water. The farm uses raised beds to improve drainage and ensure the health of the crop.

What is the process and cost involved in planting turmeric on the farm?

The process of planting turmeric starts with land preparation, followed by bed preparation and drip irrigation installation. The cost of bed preparation and drip installation for 1 acre is approximately ₹8,000. Turmeric seeds cost around ₹30,000 per acre. The seeds are typically planted between mid-June and end-June, after the onset of the monsoon, for optimal germination.

How is the turmeric harvest processed and marketed, and what is the expected profit per acre?

After harvesting, the turmeric is cleaned and processed. The cost of harvesting, processing, and transporting turmeric to the market is around ₹55,000 per acre. The farm expects to make a profit of ₹75,000 to ₹80,000 per acre from turmeric. The turmeric is sold fresh, and its quality is excellent, with good fragrance and size, which contributes to higher market prices.

How much revenue does the farm generate from pigeon pea (toor dal), and how does it add to the farm's profitability?

The farm generates an additional ₹40,000 per acre from pigeon pea (toor dal), with an average yield of 8 quintals per acre. Pigeon pea requires minimal maintenance, and the farming costs are low. The revenue from pigeon pea is a significant addition to the overall income from turmeric, making the farming model even more profitable.

What are the major costs involved in farming turmeric and pigeon pea, and how does the intercropping system benefit the farm?

The major costs involved in farming turmeric and pigeon pea include seed costs, land preparation, and irrigation setup. For turmeric, the cost of seeds and land preparation is the highest. However, the intercropping system benefits the farm by increasing productivity per acre without significantly raising costs. The pigeon pea fixes nitrogen, reducing fertilizer expenses, and the crops complement each other in terms of growth requirements.