Lucknow, March 16: In Uttar Pradesh, farmers are moving beyond traditional methods to embrace modern and profitable farming, thanks to government initiatives. Young farmer Neeraj Patel from Barabanki district exemplifies this shift. With the support of subsidies and technical assistance from the National Horticulture Mission, he has started cultivating gerbera flowers in a polyhouse, significantly increasing his income while creating job opportunities for locals.
After completing his education, Neeraj decided to pursue farming as a profession. His family had a history of traditional agriculture, but he aimed for something innovative and profitable. During a horticulture department event, he learned about gerbera cultivation and polyhouse technology, which became a turning point in his life.
In 2018, under the National Horticulture Mission scheme, he secured a loan of approximately ₹29.5 lakh and later benefited from a 50% subsidy. This financial support enabled him to establish a polyhouse on nearly one acre of land, with a total investment of around ₹70 to ₹75 lakh.
The government assistance made it feasible for him to adopt this expensive technology. Currently, Neeraj’s polyhouse houses around 25,000 gerbera plants, which produce flowers for nearly six years once planted. The modern drip irrigation system in the polyhouse conserves water and enhances the quality of the produce.
Gerbera flowers maintain a steady demand in the market, widely used in weddings, decorations, and various events, ensuring smooth sales. Neeraj reports an annual net income of about ₹8 to ₹10 lakh after covering all expenses. His initiative is inspiring other farmers in his village to transition from traditional farming to modern, high-profit agriculture. Neeraj Patel’s success stands as a testament to the effective use of government schemes and modern agricultural techniques.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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