From Army Service to Walnut Nursery: How a Kishtwar Farmer Built a ₹15–20 Lakh Enterprise

A former Indian Army serviceman from Kishtwar has turned his interest in walnut cultivation into a profitable nursery enterprise. Suneel Singh, from Gundarna in Tagood, Mughal Maidan, received technical guidance from ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, and now supplies walnut plants to farmers across several Indian states.

From Army service to horticulture

Suneel served in the Indian Army from 2004 to 2021. After returning to his native Kishtwar, he developed an interest in horticulture, particularly walnut cultivation, which is suited to the temperate conditions of the region. He then approached ICAR-CITH, Srinagar, to learn improved walnut production and propagation techniques.

1. Scientific guidance changed the scale

ICAR-CITH provided Suneel with technical support on elite walnut varieties and propagation. The institute trained him in annular and patch budding as well as cleft grafting, while also advising him on pollination, orchard layout and rejuvenation of old walnut orchards.

The support was not limited to classroom training. Suneel received true-to-type planting material and technical advice that helped him establish a nursery capable of producing plants for other farmers. This connection between a farmer and a specialised horticulture institute became an important part of his enterprise’s growth.

2. He expanded beyond orchard cultivation

Suneel now manages two hectares of mother blocks and one hectare of nursery land. Both areas have assured irrigation and suitable access, allowing him to maintain planting material and produce walnut saplings on a larger scale than a small household nursery.

His nursery has been accredited by the State Horticulture Department and the National Horticulture Board. This has helped establish it as a source of planting material for farmers seeking walnut plants for new orchards and expansion of existing horticultural holdings.

3. His market extends beyond Kishtwar

Suneel’s nursery has supplied walnut plants to farmers in Jammu & Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. ICAR says the planting material supplied through his enterprise has covered more than 150 hectares under new plantations.

This wider market has changed the nature of his farming activity. Instead of depending mainly on income from his own walnut orchard, he earns primarily by supplying planting material to other farmers. About 90% of his reported income now comes from nursery sales.

4. Income increased several times

When Suneel began the enterprise in 2021, his annual income was around ₹2 lakh. ICAR now estimates his annual income at ₹15–20 lakh, representing a substantial increase over five years. The nursery business has become the main source of this higher income.

The story shows why planting material can become an agricultural business in regions where horticultural crops have strong local suitability. A farmer does not always need to rely only on selling harvested produce. Producing quality plants can create another market linked to expanding orchards.

5. Water management supported the enterprise

Suneel also helped address the water needs of his nursery by implementing a community-driven lift irrigation system from the Sigdi Chatroo River. Reliable irrigation is important for maintaining nursery plants and supporting the mother blocks used for propagation.

Water access can determine whether a nursery can maintain consistent production. For farmers considering a similar enterprise, the availability and reliability of irrigation should therefore be assessed before investing in planting material, nursery infrastructure and propagation facilities.

6. He became a trainer for other farmers

Suneel’s work has extended beyond his own farm. ICAR says he now trains and motivates local farmers and youth interested in walnut cultivation. His nursery therefore serves not only as a source of planting material but also as a local example of how horticulture can become a business.

His experience also shows the importance of combining local farming knowledge with scientific guidance. Farmers interested in walnut cultivation can approach horticulture departments or specialised institutions such as ICAR-CITH to understand suitable varieties, propagation, orchard design and management before establishing new plantations.

Why walnut offers another opportunity

According to ICAR’s account, Suneel considers walnut attractive because of its relatively low input requirements, suitability for organic production and long productive life. He also points to lower post-harvest losses and easier storage and transport compared with some other horticultural crops.

Walnut cultivation also provides products beyond the kernel. ICAR notes potential uses for walnut oil, shells, hulls and pellicles. Such additional markets can create opportunities for value addition, although farmers need to assess processing costs, local demand and market access before investing in these activities.

Suneel’s experience does not mean every walnut farmer will earn ₹15–20 lakh annually. His results are linked to nursery scale, market access, irrigation, institutional support and demand for planting material. Farmers should treat the figures as one documented case rather than a guaranteed return from walnut cultivation.

For farmers in suitable temperate regions, the broader lesson is to look beyond conventional crop sales. Producing certified or accredited planting material, learning propagation techniques and developing links with horticulture departments can create additional income opportunities when demand for new orchards is growing.

Suneel Singh’s journey from Army service to walnut nursery entrepreneurship shows how scientific support can help farmers build businesses around horticulture. With ICAR-CITH guidance, irrigation and accredited nursery facilities, his annual income has risen from about ₹2 lakh to ₹15–20 lakh, while his planting material now reaches farmers across India.