Sukhjeet Singh, a visionary farmer from Haryana’s Sirsa district, was born into a modest farming family where he witnessed his parents laboring day and night to grow crops like wheat, mustard, cotton, and bajra using traditional methods. Despite their relentless efforts, the financial returns were limited. After completing his intermediate education, Sukhjeet had the option to pursue a different career path, but he chose to stay rooted in agriculture.
Driven by a desire to demonstrate that farming can be both profitable and dignified when approached innovatively, he set out to transform his family’s land into a flourishing organic agribusiness.
Shifting to Horticulture: A Turning Point
Sukhjeet’s farming journey took a transformative turn when he shifted to horticulture in 2015. He began by cultivating kinnow on 25 acres and guava on 8 acres of his land. This shift was driven by his interest in long-term sustainability and better income potential from fruit crops. While the transition was challenging in the beginning with high initial investment, maintenance issues, and skepticism from others, Sukhjeet remained determined.
Over time, his hard work paid off. The orchards began yielding quality produce, and the fruits' taste and freshness attracted consistent buyers. This success not only strengthened his confidence but also laid the foundation for expanding his horticulture-based agribusiness.
Integrating Crops for Sustainable and Self-Reliant Farming
Recently, Sukhjeet Singh started cultivating organic wheat on 5 acres of his land and has also introduced millets into his cropping system. He supports fellow farmers in adopting natural farming methods and promotes the use of crop rotation, which has significantly reduced input costs and improved overall productivity.
This multi-crop approach not only lowers expenses for farmers but also delivers healthier food to consumers. Through these efforts, Sukhjeet aims to promote sustainable agriculture and actively encourages others to follow suit.
From Organic Farmer to Agripreneur
By 2018, Sukhjeet took a major step forward by registering his own Farmer Producer Company (FPO)—Acrefarm Farmer Producer Company. Through this FPO, he began processing, packing, and branding organic commodities such as atta, dal, mustard oil, desi ghee, and more under the brand name Sirsa Natural.
Initially, they started by selling kinnow, potato, guava, and other seasonal vegetables to cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Much of this produce was sourced not only from Sukhjeet’s farm but also from other local farmers, helping them access better markets and higher returns. As demand grew among health-conscious consumers, he expanded into direct-to-consumer vegetable sales in urban areas like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Punjab, using internet platforms and social media to reach those seeking fresh, chemical-free produce.
Now, his business has a turnover of approximately Rs. 3 crore. He has provided employment to 12 rural youth and indirectly supported the livelihoods of over 600 farmers from nearby villages, many of whom have adopted organic farming methods after witnessing his success.
Recognition and Awards
Sukhjeet Singh's efforts have been rewarded with several awards. He has been awarded for his efforts in potato seed production. “The recognition is encouraging, but the true reward is when a fellow farmer says, ‘Because of you, I’ve started organic farming,'" he says with pride.
Role in GFBN and Future Vision
Sukhjeet recently joined the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), a national initiative by Krishi Jagran that supports sustainable and successful agripreneurs. As a part of GFBN, Sukhjeet now imparts his learnings and real-world experiences to other farmers, mentoring them on building lucrative organic models without external dependence.
His future objective is to export fruits to international markets to secure better prices and to develop a direct supply model from farm to plate, ensuring fresher produce for consumers and higher returns for farmers.
A Farmer First, Always
Even though he has been successful, Sukhjeet still identifies as a farmer. He spends a few hours in his fields each day, interacts with local farmer groups, and thinks that the future of Indian agriculture is in nature-based agriculture, community learning, and direct market access.
"Agriculture has provided everything: identity, earnings, and peace of mind. If we treat the land with respect, the land will return the respect to us," he says. His is not merely a tale of success but about how he restored faith in agriculture, equipped rural youth, and proved that a farmer can also be an entrepreneur.
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals—farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
