Pritam Singh, a resident of Uralana Khurd village in Panipat district of Haryana, has not only increased the productivity of his farms by adopting new technologies in agriculture, but has also contributed significantly to environmental protection and the well-being of farmers. Born in 1966, Pritam Singh took the bold step of adopting new technologies away from traditional farming. Today he has become an inspiration for sustainability and innovation in farming.
Incorporation of new technologies
Pritam Singh has used several advanced technologies on his more than 20 acres of land. These include:
1. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):
Adopted DSR technology to save water, reducing water consumption by 30-40%.
2. Crop residue management:
He eliminated the practice of burning crop residue in the fields. Instead, the residue was mixed with the soil and used as organic fertilizer.
3. Zero Tillage:
Zero tillage technique was used for land conservation, which improved soil fertility and structure.
4. Seed Production Programme:
Pritam Singh is actively involved in the seed production programme with IARI. He produced high quality seeds on his farm and distributed them to other farmers.
5. Diversified Farming:
He started vegetable production by replacing the traditional paddy-wheat cycle, which increased income.
Sensitive Farming and Environmental Conservation
Pritam Singh took new steps in water and land conservation. Working with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), he adopted precision irrigation techniques. He explains:
“Water conservation techniques not only saved water but also improved crop quality. These techniques also helped in environmental conservation.”
Integrated Farming and Dairy Management
Pritam Singh also integrated dairy management in his farm. He says:
“Combining farming and dairy not only increases income but also creates a balance between crop and livestock management.”
He uses the dung obtained from the dairy as vermicompost and organic manure, which reduces the cost of cultivation and improves soil quality.
Awards and Honours
His efforts have been recognised with several awards:
• Progressive Farmer Award (2010): Award for the best farmer in Panipat district.
IARI Fellowship Award (2012): For innovation in agriculture.
Kisan Ratna Award (2019): By Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University.
• Innovative Farmer Award (2021): By Sher-e-Kashmir University.
Inspiration for other farmers
Pritam Singh not only experiments with new techniques himself but also makes other farmers aware. He regularly trains farmers and shares his experiences with them. He says:
“Farmers should not be afraid to adopt new technologies. These technologies not only increase production but also reduce costs.”
Innovation in the market
Pritam Singh established direct contact with local and regional markets. He adopted a “farmer to customer” model for direct sales of his products, which gave him more profit.
He says: “Guaranteeing freshness and quality to customers builds trust, which is the key to our success.”
In addition, he also used social media and online platforms to reach out to urban customers.
His direct marketing strategy not only increased his income by eliminating middlemen but also made organic products available to customers at reasonable prices.
This initiative of his is also inspiring other farmers in the area.
Future plans
Pritam Singh plans to use solar panels and precision technologies more in his farm in the coming time. His aim is that his technologies not only increase his income but also give new direction to other farmers.
Pritam says, “I want to create a demo farm for farmers, where they can come and understand new technologies and implement them in their farming.” Along with this, he wants to create a dedicated area for organic farming, which will further promote environmental protection.
Government initiative Pritam Singh says, “The government should encourage farmers to promote technologies like zero tillage, DSR and crop residue management.” He suggested that subsidy schemes and training programs should be run for small and medium farmers.
Pritam’s experiences show that if the government invests more in popularizing these techniques, both the income of farmers and environmental sustainability can improve across the country. His initiative shows that the dream of self-reliant India is possible with the right guidance and use of techniques in the field of agriculture. Farmers like Pritam Singh show that farming can be made profitable and stable by using the right approach and techniques. His journey is a source of inspiration for farmers not only in Haryana but across the country.
Contact us- If farmers want to share any valuable information or experiences related to farming, they can connect with us via phone or whatsApp at 9599273766 or you can write to us at [email protected]. Through Kisan of India, we will convey your message to the people, because we believe that if the farmers are advanced then the country is happy.