Vigyan Bhavan & Kempinski Ambience
10 - 14 February 2014
Delhi, India
blog
When the company he worked for was celebrating lavish annual function at Goa, India my husband Gaurav Chaudhary was bringing 20 calves from outskirts of Delhi to the deep interiors of Uttar Pradesh where he is actively engaged in Agroforestry, Dairy and Agribusiness.
Gaurav, post graduated in Economics from prestigious Delhi School of Economics in 2006, worked for few months as an economic analyst with WNS Global Services and quit his high profile job for farming. Having grown up in farming family he knew how much an educated youth like him could contribute to farming community and village if they work with full enthusiasm and determination in agriculture.
My father in law Chaudhary Veerpal Singh was the first person in the village to plant Poplar trees on farm in 1987 when West India Match Company launched an extensive campaign in North India to motivate farmers to adopt poplar based agroforestry as the local matchwood and timber companies were facing acute shortage of supply of wood. Since this was new to farmers and required a waiting period of 7 years farmers were reluctant to plant it. “ I thought it to be my responsibility to promote trees on farms as it would not only save our forests from being cut but also benefit our environment in long run”, recalls Chaudhary Veerpal Singh.
Gaurav had seen his farmer father Chaudhary Veerpal Singh working hard throughout the year to take best yields of crops so that he could be educated. “ In school only I had decided that after completing my higher studies I will go back to my village and get involved in farming , modernize agriculture and improve attitude and perception of people towards this very important sector of our economy.”
Gaurav ‘s passion for farming and for rural India inspired me too and after completing my MSC Business Economics from University Of Surrey , London I married him in 2011. Both of us are thoroughly enjoying our work and it gives us immense satisfaction that with our intelligence, good education background we are actually transforming our village. We raise very good poplar plantations on farm, guide farmers on right practices of growing poplar, eucalyptus trees and other crops. With good returns from trees and crops we are continuously growing in related areas as well. We are expanding our dairy farm where we rear H.F cows and sell milk in city. Dairy and agriculture go very well together. Farmer can earn daily from milk by selling it and make their soil rich by adding cow dung. In order to improve farmers know how on running successful dairy farm we have also set up an association called Progressive Dairy Farmers Association, U.P wherein regular meetings with Dairy experts are conducted.
Our Journey from agriculture to agroforestry, from agroforestry to Dairy Enterprise and further to Agro inputs business shows endless opportunities for growth and innovation offered by Agriculture. I and my husband are earning more in agriculture than we could have earned in Corporate.
Farming needs intelligence, good know-how, and lot of professionalism to carry complex agricultural operations. We need to change our attitude and perception towards farming and I request youth to come up with green thumb and not to underestimate farming. Agriculture has the potential to provide them with not only very good income but also the chance to transform rural India.
Seeing us many farmers in the region started planting poplar on their farms. Small farmers plant poplar and eucalyptus on boundary while large farmers plant block plantations of poplar trees and grow intercrops underneath which ensure them annual returns. They are further diversifying to Dairy and Poultry farming. They now feel proud of their work and realize how much they can grow if they work with sincerity on their farms.
Not to forget poplar based agroforestry has improved lives of farmers with its higher returns, provided security against crop failures due to extreme weather and climatic conditions; reduced regular engagement and attendance on high input intensive culture of other crops and provided financial stability to farmers. Higher returns from agroforestry facilitated farmers to give their children best education. It has opened an avenue for youth to grow in agriculture.
The Net Present Value of returns from poplar agroforestry per acre per year (1 acre = 0.4 hectare) turns out to be USD 2000 compared to just USD 491 from paddy- wheat rotation the traditional agriculture practice followed in this Pilibhit, U.P. Poplar has become popular among farmers as it is ready for harvest in 6 years, allows intercropping with it, meets fuel wood requirement of farmers, needs less management compared to other farming practices. Agroforestry is to some extent also playing a positive role in reigniting the love of youth for farming which is also very important if we’re to meet the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.
I request educated youth to come back to their roots and give shade to many people who have worked hard in fields day and night to feed them. Youth can transform rural India with its great determination and hence make tremendous contribution to society and environment.
Photo: Nikki and Gaurav Chaudhary (center) and their staff on their farm’s poplar tree plot
Blogpost and photo by Nikki Pilania Chaudhary/Chaudhary Farms (Pilibhit,India) – chaudharyfarms(at)gmail.com
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This post is entry nr #3 in our #WCA2014 blog competition. The five blogposts with the most and highest votes will receive a signed copy of the book "Trees for Life". The most popular blogpost will get an iPad.
This blogpost received 1,229 votes, with an average score of 5 (out of a max of 5).
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112 People have left comments on this post
really such a nice and appreciable great thing
This is really an astonishing step taken as to modernise the practice and promotion of the field of agriculture in our country. Our country required such steps to be taken by the youth to be able to serve and contribute to the world through agriculture. Good luck
Hi Gaurav n Nikki..This is really a great stuff by u guyz..being educated frm such premier institutions n den wrkn at d grass root level n dat to in d farming industry..indeed an appreciable act..esp wn educated youth throng to d glam corporate world..yes v need more ppl to follow ur steps n contribute to d ppl at d base level wd more innovative ideas in any social infra sector..gud luck guyz..kp duin d grt stuff..
Great to see youth taking forward steps for progress of people, nation, world and environment. Long term sustainability is a major concern in the modern world, and enlightening people is positive. I do wish all of them the very best and do look forward to seeing more youth’s taking similar path.
Hi!!…highly appreciate you both for the enthusiasm with which you guys are working towards agroforestry .Nikki I have known you as a person who has earned accolades in whatever u have taken in hand…….its really good to see the same spirit in Gaurav. Visiting the rural areas and understanding the ground realities so that you can contribute towards enrichment of mother Earth…..proud of you:) Way to go!!
I congratlate you for your efforts and wish you all the very best for your future ventures .
Its good things for agriculture farming.
Dear Gaurav and Nikki you are doing great job . Now sharing your achievements with youth certainly motivate many to adopt agriculture and dairy farming . No doubt our culture is so rich that you don’t have to depend on any body .
You are such a good writer too I never knew .
My best wishes to you both and wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year 2014.
Good Luck.
Hi Gaurav and Nikki
When I last time met with you during International Poplar Commission Meeting 2012 that time only I was impressed. I was wondering that these guys are why paying about 600 dollars to see agroforestry in Western India? Now I understood why?
Not only me, it was Canadian and Argentinian delegation too. I overheard them that these guys are hot shot in business economics and now turning agroforestry as a big business in India. I too echo their views.
Kudos to entrepreneurship zeal and skill to you people! I wish you both to lead your ways to make farm forestry big business like cooperative.
Great Nikki and Gaurav. Along the real work on the ground please keep educating the people around.
Poplar and clonal eucalyptus farming is certainly more beneficial as compared to traditional farming and lesser risky also. This is more suitable to large farmers as compared to small farmers. Hence, it needs to be encouraged for increasing the income of farmers.
Great initiative and I wish you both all the best.
Good to see the secod generaton taking over and carrying forward the good plantation work on poplars that was done by VPS Chaudhary who has been closely associated with us in WIMCO so long
Hi Gaurav and Nikki
Great job , i also visit ur farm many time , i m very happy seen ur Poplar plantation productivity & Dairy farming . Gud luck
Gud Job
Hi Nikki and Gaurav. Great job. higly inspiring for the youth of India!!! keep it up!!!
Hi Gaurav and Nikki great job
Dear Nikki and Gaurav,
Awesome..You guys are doing very good work, utilizing your education and knowledge for generating employment as well as exploring the unexplored of agriculture, forestry and dairy farming…. hard work is showing its results… your high spirit is not only contributing to the Indian Economy but also enlightening today’s youth…they can now think out of the box and help India grow economically and spiritually the way you both are doing…
I am proud of you!!All the best and rock
Really nyc work!!!keep it up
Its a daring step to leave a white collar job and put your hands in mud. But there is a say ” Where there’s a will there is a way”.
Everybody works but very few works for the benefit of society. Its highly motivating step and will encourage youth to work for society and ultimately for the development of India.
Congratulation and all the very best to both of you.
It is really good to note that you guys have taken that leap of faith and really gone and done something of subtance in rural India. I myself live in UK and know how difficult for all of us, who are living abroad to leave all that cushy position and lifestyle for life in rural India. Your story is really inspiring. Mahatma Gandhi said long time back that “India lives in her villages”, which I think is still true. I also think that the future of prosperous India also is very much dependant on prosperity of rural India, which can only become properous, when youth like you who are educated and have got world perspective go back to the roots and work towards its prosperity. Well done and wish you all the best for you.
Well done Nikki and Gaurav. Good work and Keep going. All the Best.
Dear Nikki & Mr Gaurav, Hello, I am Veer Pal Singh Pilania from Village Banhpur, U.P. This is really good step & a new idea for new generation to get them self involved in rural activities & new farming ideas. new generation can understand that if they want every thing is possible in villages also and this is only our future of India. Good going, keep it up. our blessing are always with you. Thanks & regards. VP Singh Pilania
Great story !! I personally congratulate Nikki n Gaurav for their effort in the field and hope that others will do the same.
A living example of how one can make a difference as mentioned how Chaudhary Veer pal Singh saw what’s for the future.
I wish the team my best wishes and feel obliged in any way possible that I may as well help them in the campaign.
Regards
Ebenezer
This is Excellent work Gaurav & Nikki. This would surely encourage and motivate a lot of educated youngsters to turn towards something which can be termed as surely the essence of our country ” Farming “.
Keep it up and make the country proud.
Regards
Luv Pilania
My best wishes to Nikki and Gaurav. It takes courage to leave a secure job and going back to the roots, in fact working for the roots.
I want to appreciate your hard work and want to congratulate you.
I will try to promote it at my end and will collect all information about agroforestry.
Well done… keep going… All The Best to both of you…
Hi Nikki & Gaurav,
I really appreciate your hard work done so far in terms of creating awareness among poor farmers. Salute you both…. I hope you will continue your efforts in this direction.
Wish you both a good luck for future.. Regards, Rajeev Sinha
Hi Gaurav and Nikki,
I am really proud of you guys. You are doing a great work. I have always got inspiration from you and want to replicate things at my native place. I am also trying to do something fro Agriculture in my native place, Bihar. Lots of opportunities really!!
I have to come to your place as well, planning for a long time but because of this Corporate sector not able to come.
My best wishes are always with you guys.
Awesome work done..!!
Great Work Nikki. Proud of you.
All the best to both of you.
Take care.
Its great initiative.
Wishing for success.
great job u have done nikki n gaurav
Nikki & GC, Since you people deserve the fruit of your hard works and sincerity….I wish you win! You won!!!
A real taste of entrepreneurship and a grtt step towards the progress of rural India…..
Kudosss guys and a gud piece of work i must say ..
Hatsss off to d innovation n courage u showed
Good one, worth to read
Dear Nikki and Gaurav,
Excellent efforts for generating employment in the field of agriculture, forestry and dairy farming. All the best ….
Dr.V.K.Pandey
very good idea…….only need is to promote it at large …it will surely raise the economic status of rural indians
Dear Niki..
What a refreshing piece of article to read!
Gaurav as I have known him, has always been an packet of energy. His love for farming and related industries have been never ending. I remember how he took me to a Mushroom Farming Setup somewhere in Punjab!
The best thing that could happened to him is You Nikki, who not only accepted his passion but adopted it too ! Today when Corporate World is synonym with Glamor and Fashion, you guys chose to direct your energies into something which is not only financial promising but is equally important on Environment front.
All the very best
May God Bless You
Naveen Parakh
All the Best !
Great JOB..:)
Dear Gaurav Bhaiya and Nikkie
Your hard work is truly worth learning , innovative and thus inspiring to thousands of the educated youths like us who hardly show their endeavor in modern and innovative farming. Really excellent taste of entrepreneurship which is generating rural employment and contributing to healthy environment as well.
Pl keep it up at the fullest enthusiasm and all the very best !!!
Hello Niki and Gaurav,
Very commendable. You have truly shown how today’s youth after getting the highly educated can make the difference in the country. As said, you two can motivate many others in the community and also improve the way things are for the betterment of the people.
I am sure many similar projects you will be undertaking in the futre.
All the very Best.
Warm Regards
hi Nikki,
Great work, you guys have really made us proud.I can proudly say an old friend of mine has adopted farming as her profession as well as her Passion.
Not to forget how well Educated you Guys are,leaving your well paid jobs as well.
Being a son of a Farmer,I very well know how much hard work you need to put in from the time of Sowing the seeds until Harvesting.
I know how depressed my Father was when Governmrnt acquired our agricultural land in Gurgaon.He loves Farming,just like you Guys.
So best of Luck,keep doing this wonderful work.
Hi Nikki & Gaurav,
Its really something special, Your efforts are worthless nonetheless you are required to inspire the people to look at it sincerely.
Its the call of the time……….hats off to you both……always keep in mind that education always pays.
May god bless you.
Dear NIKKI and Gorav Chaudhary,
Your entrepreneurship skill practical at root level will generate gain full rural employment and clean environment for entire society. I agree to promote your veiws, on agro forestry, dairy farming and agree business.
warm regards,
Harbir singh.
Meerut,UP.
This is a great effort and with your good financial and communication skills, you can truly be role model for hordes of not so fortunate small famers. I hope you are already it- but in case not, developing small and innovative videos and other brief communication material on your success story (describing the real constraints and your personal solutions) shall be of great help. Do keep on writing and inspiring. Good work, congrats!!
Bharat SHARMA
IWMI-New Delhi
Nikki/Gaurav, Truely inspiring and motivational……Keep up the good work!
Rural india is the backbone to success of Urban India….so great work at the grassroots
Excellent
good job for farming community and you will get farmers wishes.
Thanks a lot to all of you for uplifting and motivting us. This means a lot to us.
Best Regrds,
Nikki Pilania Chaudhary
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent.
Great job well done congrats we r proudof you
Nikki n Gaurav, keep it up. Educated are privileged to lead by examples. Mussorie , AK Mishra.
Dear Nikki n Gaurav, poplar harvesting is so lucrative in India..I had never thought of….good blog. New Delhi
Inspiring and glad to know about youths taking up Agro forestry well. New Delhi. Aastha
I know western UP has well developed Agro-forestry zone. But, amazing to find well educated people are taking it further.
Most of the blogs are good here. But, your is excellent.
Knowledgeable and good in readings. Great works!
Thanks Nikki n Gaurav to writing and making awareness about poplar planting.
Thanks for writing this blog. I would be interested to know more about Agro Forestry along traditional crops.
Good blog and interesting to know about lucrative poplar.
One vote mere taraf se……good blog n interesting facts.
I appreciate your endeavour to convince educated to be engaged in farming. Other wise everybody thinks about only services despite not much gainful.
Blog is interesting and is with more facts to know about poplar vis-a-vis traditional croppings.
I see many people have already educated from your blog. Indeed it’s good.
Good Economics in Agro-Forestry than traditional coarse crops. Good.
Nikki n Gaurav, glad to read your blog. I see many people liking it. Good Work.
Nikki n Gaurav, all the best ! Wonderful work.
You are doing this work passionately . Great.
I have seen the farming in childhood. But now am missing in an urbane life. At least forestry we need also in urban lifestyle…luxury…
Good work…..inspiring.
Good. I know Agri practices and productive return requires a lot of work n discipline. It’s not a rocket science but take not less of sincerity .
Hey Nikki, sorry for the late reply. i am very impressed by your story. India is only going to develop when we try to enhance the livelihood of the agricultural community. Being 70% of our population the agricultural community is severely neglected. Why should be deprived of the benefits of the economic growth that India has seen in the last decade. Also, i feel that if the agriculture sector is developed more India can compete in the world market as one of the big exporters of agricultural products. Why should India be importing grains from abroad when it has the capacity to export. Export in agricultural products can be a great contribution to the India’s annual GDP growth. Attempts at implementing micro-finance in the rural area has not worked completely and has adverse affects on the rural population. In addition to this the introduction of genetically modified crops has destroyed the lives of the farmers in some regions and has led to the unfortunate increase in farmer suicides, and destruction of vast stretches of land leaving them barren. I feel we should resort to traditional modes of farming that has been going on in India for decades (crop rotation, labor intensive farming etc), however saying that farmers have to be given new technology and educated and trained to use these new tools so that they can enhance the production output annually. Also, i feel one has to educate the farmer about the economic market, the prices to sell their crops in the market, and this whole business of middlemen should be curtailed. I do agree that all this can happen when the youth from the villages or urban sectors go into the interiors of the rural area and contribute in bringing these changes. Well these are some of my opinions. But i am glad you sent me this post. Please do not hesitate to send me more links in future you can always inbox me. It would be great to have a conversation with you on this sometimes.
Good learnings you people are spreading up. Keep it up. Samir. Mumbai
Nikki n Gaurav, great learnings and also earnings you have shared here . Excellent . AK Tripathi. MP
Knowledgeable bogs here. Good to read.
Promoting ago forestry is my favourite. Aush. Hydrabad.
First time I am reading about poplar. But interesting. Mukesh. Bangalore.
I guess your farm is near Himalaya region of North India. Really those lands are more fertile and with diverse Agro system. It’s good to know more n more educated are adopting farming there. All the best. Anandhan, Madurai.
Thanks for sharing this blog with me. It’s interesting and knowledgeable . Naveen, Delhi.
Thankyou all for your appreciation. Yes farming community needs support, strength and due attention. Ignorance to agriculture in India will only take our economy backwards.
As rightly quoted by MS Swminathan , “THE FUTURE BELONGS TO COUNTRY WITH GRAINS NOT GUNS.”
Best Regards,
Nikki Pilania Chaudhary
Nikki n Gaurav, good work and also this blog. S Raswant. New Delhi
Good to know that agriculture and Agro forestry are becoming more rewarding. Raman
Good blog.
It’s very good future n future to be associated with Agro forestry. All the best.
Future and fortune
Good blog….all the best.
Such a great job. Really appreciable.
Nikki and Gaurav, this is really great. Nice read and looking forward to such revolution in agriculture sector when most of the farmers in the villages are struggling to thrive. I would like to visit you and try to replicate the things in my village.
Best regards,
Jitendra
West Champaran, Bihar
Superb guys. All the best. ” There is no peace without bread”
Good management practices with innovative ideas on farm by educated persons definitely going to increase income. Great work.
Good learnings through these kind of blogs for we youngers.
Good blog to get aspirations for increasing farm income.
Worth reading and promoting this practice and learnings of farm practices. Amritha. Chennai.
Good to know about increasing the farm incomes by educated youth in India. Anjula, New Delhi
Good practices….indeed good blog.
Indian agriculture is lagging behind in comparison to other sectors of Economy. Now I am sure educated youths, like you people are doing, will bring needful changes. God Bless you!
It’s worth reading. Thanks Nikki to write this blog.
We need more of youths to revive the farm practices to generate sustainable growths. This blog is encouraging for those who wants to re-look on farming, forestry or other Agro based activities. Nikki you have indicated to have a descent earnings. Is it really better than corporates?
I liked it.
It’s long list of comments. Blogs n comments both are interesting .
I know it’s very hard work in farm practices than any other economic activities bring similar earnings. But your case is inspiring for youths.
Thanks for sharing this blog. I read many of it. Good blogs are on this link.
Further Indian manufacturing can be expanded with well development of primary sector like agriculture. You people are really working for base. Thanks Nikki n Gaurav. Radhika, Mumbai.
It is a Wonderful work. Very well done with lots of insight information
Liked it. Good blog on agroforestry. Real inputs.
Attentive and interesting blog. Farming is becoming more rewarding.
Thanks for sharing this blog. Worth a reading.
Thanks to Ajay who have circulated this blog among us. Nikki n Gaurav, it’s indeed good work and this blog is written very well what you people are doing at ground.
Good blog. Thanks for sharing with me.
Amazing Blog!
Congratulations. Quite inspiring blog.
Grate Blog !
I also want to work like u, I need your guide line. Pl. sms me your mobile no…on ..09811203642,
Thank u..