Despite having only a formal education up to the fifth standard, Premchand Sharma, a progressive farmer from Hatal village in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, has achieved remarkable success. Recognizing his innovative farming techniques, the government has honored him with numerous awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri.
Vision for Local Farming
Sharma’s village is close to the Himachal Pradesh border, where many Uttarakhand residents travel for agricultural work. Witnessing this, he decided to develop opportunities in his own village. In 1994, he began experimenting with new farming methods. Today, his organic-hi-tech model has transformed farming in remote areas of Uttarakhand.
Success with Organic and Hi-Tech Farming
Traditional farming in the region provided only a basic livelihood. Premchand saw potential in modernizing these methods. He introduced organic and high-tech techniques to grow vegetables like cabbage, tomatoes, and broccoli. His crops quickly gained demand, leading him to explore apple farming as well.
By implementing efficient water management through drip and sprinkle irrigation systems, Premchand improved crop yields significantly. His innovations have inspired the local youth to consider farming as a viable career.
Achievements and Future Goals
Over the past 20 years, Premchand Sharma’s contributions to agriculture have earned him numerous accolades. Awarded the Padma Shri in 2021, he now hopes that farmers across Uttarakhand and India will adopt his organic-hi-tech farming model. His vision is to empower farmers to thrive in their villages instead of migrating to cities for work.
Report by Abhishek Kumar for Bharat Express, Dehradun
