How fennel farming transformed a village in Sirsa

In Jorkian village, located near the Rajasthan border in Sirsa district, a new wave of prosperity is sweeping through the fields. The transformation began with a local farmer, Satbir Dehru, who decided to abandon traditional crops and try his hand at growing fennel, an aromatic medicinal plant.

Satbir’s innovative approach to farming has been successful. He has been cultivating organic fennel on one and a half acres, earning significant profits. This year, Satbir harvested 13 to 20 quintals of fennel from just one acre. What makes fennel farming even more appealing is that the plants don’t require chemical fertilisers, sprays, or protection from wild animals like nil gais, which usually damage crops. The plants are hardy and grow well without needing much intervention, making it a double benefit for farmers.

Initially, Satbir struggled to find buyers for his fennel. However, his perseverance paid off, and now, fennel is sold easily in nearby Nohar Tehsil in Rajasthan. The fragrance of fennel, which spreads over distances of one to two kilometers, has made it a popular and distinctive crop.

Soon, other farmers in the village started following Satbir’s lead. Hanuman Sheoran, Hari Singh Jalandhra, Balwant, Mohan Lal Chapola, and Deep Singh Sihag also began cultivating fennel in their fields, ranging from half an acre to one and a half acres. Satbir provided them with the seeds, which he had personally cultivated.

According to Satbir, the cost of fennel seeds in the market is around Rs 2,000 per kilogram, and the planting season for fennel is between October 20 and November 20. The plants require regular drinking water for irrigation and three rounds of watering are usually sufficient. It takes around 150 to 180 days for the crop to mature, and by the end of April, it is ready for harvest. The yield per acre can range from 13 to 20 quintals, with the market price fluctuating between Rs 13,000 and Rs 19,000 per quintal, Satbir said.

Satbir believes that every farmer can make a good profit by adding medicinal plants like fennel to their traditional crops.

The tall fennel plants, reaching heights of 6 to 7 ft, spread their unique fragrance when they mature. The success of this crop has not only enriched Satbir’s life but also inspired other farmers to follow his example, giving the village a hopeful outlook for the future.