https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Varanasi’s Agri Revolution, Cultivating Success in the Global Market

Varanasi is emerging as a hub for agricultural innovation and export excellence The Krishi Niryat Pathshala initiative is empowering farmers to venture into global markets with focus on vegetable cultivation It is a game-changer for the farmers, who are witnessing a doubling of income
Indian Masterminds Stories

Varanasi, where the Ganges flows serenely and history echoes through its ancient temples, is not only preserving its cultural legacy but is also emerging as a hub for agricultural innovation and export excellence. The focal point of this agricultural renaissance is the ‘Krishi Niryat Pathshala – a transformative initiative aimed at empowering local farmers to venture into global markets with focus on vegetable cultivation.

Spearheaded by Chief Development Officer of Varanasi, Himanshu Nagpal IAS, the city, with its robust connectivity and the presence of the Agricultural Production Export and Investment Development Authority (APEIDA), has seen a remarkable surge in agricultural exports, particularly in vegetables like chillies, peas, tomatoes, and the recent addition of the mango fruit.

ORGANIC FARMING

The journey began with the district team identifying 1100 clusters of organic farming, emphasizing the importance of organic cover in the region. With the city boasting of excellent air and online transportation connectivity, Varanasi became the ideal ground for a flourishing agricultural export venture.

Mr. Nagpal informed Indian Masterminds that last year alone, the city recorded a significant leap in agricultural exports, reaching 512 metric tons, compared to a modest 200 metric tons in the preceding year. The momentum continues, with the current financial year witnessing a remarkable achievement of 560 metric tons by November, with a bold target set at 1000 metric tons.

ENGAGING FARMERS

The driving force behind this success lies in the meticulous approach of connecting with farmers at the grassroot level. The team, including experts from the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, APEIDA, and local agricultural authorities, is actively engaging with farmers in their villages. “We are identifying the farmers eager to explore agricultural exports but lacking the knowledge and resources to navigate the complex procedures,” Mr. Nagpal said.

The Krishi Niryat Pathshala is a beacon of hope for these farmers. Through the unique training sessions, farmers are educated on protocols, from the type of insecticides and fertilizers required for customs clearance to the specific agricultural varieties demanded by international markets in the Gulf countries and Europe.

The pathshala goes beyond education; it serves as a bridge connecting farmers with essential resources. Farmers are registered, provided with expert guidance, linked with farmers’ producer organizations, and granted access to cold chain and pack house facilities for storing produce until export readiness.

GAME CHANGER

Mr. Nagpal further highlighted that the response to this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, and they are aiming to take on board an additional 5000 farmers in the next one and a half months. “The impact is not just economic; it’s a game-changer for farmers who, through multi-cropping and intercropping, are witnessing a doubling of income compared to traditional crops like wheat or rice,” he informed.

However, this transformation is not without its challenges. The team faces resource constraints in maintaining the momentum of the pathshalas, and convincing farmers to adopt new methods is an uphill task. But, the potential benefits – from boosting foreign reserves to decreasing dependency on other countries – make the journey worthwhile.

Varanasi’s Krishi Niryat Pathshala is not just a classroom; it’s a catalyst for change, propelling the city into a new era of agricultural prosperity. As the sun sets over the Ganges, seeds are being sowed on the fields of Varanasi for a brighter and more sustainable future.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Nitish Kumar
Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Vows to Create 1 Crore Jobs for Bihar Youth in Next 5 Years, Highlights Major Development Milestones
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Government Approves Rs 1,390 Crore for Four New Medical Colleges and Healthcare Projects
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Uttarakhand Government Launches Free Pre-Recruitment Training for Agniveer Aspirants Across All Districts
Airports Authority of India AAI
PESB Finds Candidates Unsatisfactory for AAI Member (Operations) Post, Calls for New Selection Process
justice-photo
Next CJI of India: Find Out Who’s Set to Become the New Chief Justice – Full Story Inside
IPS Ratan Lal Dangi
Who Is IPS Ratan Lal Dangi? Chhattisgarh Police Officer Accused of Harassment by SI’s Wife; IG Anand Chhabra Assigned Probe - Full Story
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
UP: CM Yogi Adityanath Orders Fire Stations Every 100 Km on Expressways, Approves 1,020 New Posts in Fire Services
SDM Chhotu Lal Sharma
Who Is SDM Chhotu Lal Sharma? The 2015-Batch RAS Officer Caught in Yet Another Scandal After Slapping Petrol Pump Employee
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
01_10_2025-sanjay_gupta_24067000
Sanjay Gupta: The Steady Hand Guiding Himachal’s Next Chapter
Nitish Kumar
Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Vows to Create 1 Crore Jobs for Bihar Youth in Next 5 Years, Highlights Major Development Milestones
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT