Tech-savvy farmer turns to marigolds, reaps higher profits than wheat, rice

Vikram Kapur, a B Tech graduate from Marathwada University, has emerged as an inspiration for farmers by shifting to floriculture and horticulture, steering away from traditional wheat and paddy cultivation. His innovative approach has proven to be more profitable and environmentally sustainable, showcasing the benefits of crop diversification.

Kapur, from Pabana Hasanpur village in Karnal, has been cultivating marigolds on five acres and lemons on another five acres for the past year. Motivated by the unsustainability of traditional farming due to high input costs, low returns and water scarcity, he opted for marigold farming, which consumes less water and generates nearly three times the profit of rice and wheat.

“Marigolds are in high demand for religious, decorative and cosmetic uses. I supply them across the state and to Delhi,” Kapur said, explaining his success. His recent crop, planted in August and harvested between October and December, yielded around 100 quintals per acre. He attributes his success to the use of high-quality hybrid seeds and plans to maintain this level of productivity.

Kapur’s transition has gained the attention of local farmers, many of whom now seek his guidance on floriculture. Additionally, the labour-intensive nature of marigold farming has created significant local employment opportunities.

With a background in the software industry, having worked with companies such as HP, Oracle, Tata and Wipro, Kapur has utilised his technical expertise in farming. He manages harvesting, packaging and marketing, leveraging social media to secure orders and build demand for his products. To protect his crops, he has implemented modern solutions like electric fencing and CCTV surveillance.

Besides marigolds, Kapur has developed a lemon farm and is planning to establish a guava orchard. “Floriculture and horticulture provide better financial stability,” he said, encouraging other farmers to explore sustainable alternatives to traditional farming.

Agricultural experts have praised Kapur’s efforts. “It is a good sign that farmers are replacing traditional agriculture with floriculture and horticulture to earn profit and save water,” said Dr Wazir Singh, Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA).