From Terrace Farming to 6 Acres of Exotic Vegetables: Meet Anushka Jaiswal, the 28-Year-Old Farmer Earning Rs 1 Crore a Year
From Terrace Farming to 6 Acres of Exotic Vegetables: Meet Anushka Jaiswal, the 28-Year-Old Farmer Earning Rs 1 Crore a Year
Anushka Jaiswal’s journey from an economics graduate to a successful farmer is an inspiring story of passion, persistence and innovative farming.
From Economics Graduate to Passionate Farmer
Anushka Jaiswal, a 28-year-old from Lucknow, discovered her passion for farming after an unconventional path. With a degree in economics, Anushka was expected to secure a corporate job, but she chose to follow a different route. Her interest in agriculture sparked during a terrace gardening experiment, where she enjoyed growing vegetables like tomatoes. This experience, coupled with a conversation with her brother, led her to pursue farming as a full-time career.
The Beginning: Training and Leasing Land
Anushka took the leap in 2021 by leasing one acre of land in Sisendi village, Mohanlalganj area, Lucknow. Lacking any prior farming experience, she enrolled in horticulture courses at the Institute of Horticulture Technology, Noida, and mushroom cultivation training in Solan. Her research and hands-on training in protected cultivation helped her avoid the challenges of traditional farming, such as weather-related crop failures and pest infestations.
The Shift to Exotic Vegetables
Starting with English cucumbers, Anushka’s farming career quickly gained momentum. Her first harvest yielded 51 tonnes of cucumbers, which led her to diversify her crops to include exotic vegetables like red and yellow bell peppers, kale, bok choy, lettuce, zucchini, parsley and red cabbage.
By 2024, she expanded her operations to six acres of polyhouse farming, producing high-quality exotic vegetables and earning Rs 1 crore annually. Her produce is sold to quick commerce platforms like Blinkit, Big Basket, and major retailers like Lulu Hypermarket, as well as wholesale markets in Delhi and Varanasi.
The Challenges and the Vision
Anushka’s journey wasn’t without obstacles. Establishing the infrastructure for polyhouse farming was capital-intensive, and practical knowledge in the field proved different from theoretical courses. Moreover, the lack of good trainers made it difficult to gain a practical understanding of farming.
Despite these challenges, her commitment to the craft and the quality of her produce silenced critics. She now employs 25-30 workers, mainly women, and advocates for more women to join the agricultural workforce.
Anushka emphasizes the importance of letting the land rest periodically to maintain its productivity and hopes to inspire others, particularly women, to expand their efforts from terrace gardening to large-scale farming.
A Vision for the Future
Anushka’s journey from a terrace gardener to a successful farmer is a testament to her dedication and vision. She welcomes visitors to her farm, encouraging others to take up farming and offering advice on how to set up similar farms. Her story is an inspiration for those looking to start small and achieve big.
