A group of enterprising young farmers from Bhainibagha village in Mansa district are paving the way to increase their agricultural income by gradually diversifying their crops.
The village, which is located in the semi-arid region of Punjab, has carved out a niche for itself by switching to capsicum cultivation as a rabi crop, replacing the traditional winter crop of wheat.
According to horticulture department officials, Bhainibagha produces the most capsicum in the Malwa region. The village, located on the Bathinda-Mansa road, has an estimated 600 acres under capsicum cultivation, with an increase of about 200 acres this season.
Farmers say the crop is labour-intensive but highly remunerative. Low-cost, low tunnel structures are used for growing the crop that has a demand in several states. A 35-year-old second-generation horticulturist Hardeep Singh says capsicum cultivation costs about ₹80-85,000 per acre, including tunnel, seeds, recommended farm chemicals and labour.
“Best farm practices ensure 230-300 quintal of harvest from an acre and net saving of a farmer may be up to ₹2 lakh per acre in the six-month crop. It is ideal for water conservation and putting less stress on the soil,” said Singh, who has been growing capsicum for over 15 years. His father Kaur Singh was among the first to grow capsicum on the joint family’s 6.5 acres in 2002.
“My father and uncle got an inspiration from Beas-based Radha Soami Satsang for cultivating capsicum. After initial challenges, they made more efforts and the rest is history. After 2002, other farmers of the village started moving towards horticulture to improve their financial status,” he added.
Farmers have overcome marketing pangs as the quality and quantity at a single-location site invites bulk buyers from across the states.
According to Mansa district horticulture officer Parmesh Kumar, Jhanda Kalan village and Sardulgarh’s suburban town were also producing capsicum on 100 and 70 acres, respectively.
“However, Bhainibagha is a one-of-a-kind village where farmers have set an example in field diversification.” “It is because of the quality of their produce that wholesale buyers from Delhi, Rajasthan, and several districts of Punjab flock to the village for farm gate purchases,” Kumar explained.
Chamkaur Singh, 30, planted capsicum on 1.5 acres of his family’s 20-acre farm this season. “This is my first firsthand experience, and I intend to double the area for horticulture in the coming season.” “It provides significantly higher returns than wheat as a winter crop,” he said.