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Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Meat to fish to dairy: A Barnala farmer's unconventional road to being a crorepati
For 51-year-old Manjit Singh from Alkara village in Barnala district, it has always been about believing in his roots. At a time when his peers were looking at jobs and avenues to reach foreign soil to earn some extra money and live a good life, he not only chose to stay closer home but also gained from tilling the right soil. 'I tell every farmer in Punjab that if you sincerely dedicate even four hours per day to your fields, you will never face losses. There will be no debt, and you'll never need to chase dollars abroad,' he says. Back in 1991, after completing his 10+2, Manjit opened a small medical store in his village. He ran it for four years, but his heart was with farming. At that time, his family owned around 2.5 killas (2.5 acres), which was not enough to make a decent living from conventional wheat and paddy cultivation. So, he took a bold step. He shut down the shop and converted his modest land into a fish pond. 'I worked very hard, spending all my time at the fish farm. I also started a small dairy and began leasing additional land for seasonal crops,' he recalls. What began as a small fish farming project gradually expanded into a thriving and diversified agricultural venture. Today, Manjit owns 13 acres, a dairy farm, a poultry farm, and leases an additional 60 acres annually at Rs 82,000 per acre, and earns over Rs 1 crore a year — net profit, after all expenses. But it's not just the scale that defines Manjit Singh's success, it's his focus on smart resource integration. In 2011, he ventured into poultry farming. 'The cost of fish feed was rising, so I decided to let nature help me,' he says. He began a poultry farm just in a corner of his fish farm using hen droppings as an organic feed source for the fish. 'My hens are raising my fishes,' he proudly adds. 'Their waste has replaced expensive fish feed — it's both efficient and organic —to a large extent.' Explaining the science behind it, Manjit says hens are typically fed a diet of corn, wheat, barley, soybean meal, and fish meal. Their droppings, rich in nutrients, promote the growth of algae in the pond, which becomes a natural food source for the fish. 'Also, any feed dropped undigested or spoiled by the hens often falls directly into the pond, where the fish consume it,' he says. His poultry shed, housing around 1,000 hens at any given time, is located right above the fish ponds. 'My fish pond has several varities of fishes which are in a great demand and I never found any marketting issue and similar is the case with my poultry farm. Around 1000 eggs are sold from here daily,' he says. In another smart innovation, the nutrient-rich fish pond water — about 15-20% of which is changed every few weeks — is used to irrigate his fields. 'This water not only saves me on irrigation costs but also acts as a natural fertilizer for the crops,' he explains. 'It's a complete system where everything supports everything else, and nothing goes to waste.' 'This integrated farming model — combining fish, poultry, and crop cultivation — has not only increased his productivity but also significantly reduced input costs,' said Rajinder Kaur, scientist with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Barnala, adding that Manjit's farm is a successful and sustainable example of integrated farming which made him a medium large farmers from a small farmer. Besides fish and poultry, which together bring in a profit of Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh annually after expenses, Manjit also runs a dairy farm with over 20 buffaloes. The dairy contributes to an additional Rs 7–8 lakh to his income, further strengthening his diversified and resource-efficient approach to farming. In addition to livestock and fishery, Manjit cultivates three crops a year — Basmati/paddy, potatoes, and spring maize — on 70 acres, including 10 acres of his own. He pays an annual rent of Rs 49.2 lakh for the 60 acres he leases. After covering all input costs, his net profit from crop cultivation alone comes to around Rs 80-Rs 85 lakh annually. 'Farming has given me everything,' he says. 'From less than 3 acres, I now own 13 acres. It helped educate my children, both in India and abroad, gave me a palatial house, and kept me free of debt.' Manjit takes pride in being hands-on. 'Many farmers today don't step into their fields. They rely too much on others and end up in debt. I've never taken a loan. My hard work on a small piece of land brought me here.' Despite his financial success, he leads a simple, grounded life. 'I've never even seen Delhi, forget Canada. My Canada is right here — in these fields,' he says.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: 3 booked for tree felling, bid to encroach upon forestland
The Koom Kalan police have registered a case against three residents of Mand Chaunta village for allegedly cutting trees and trying to encroach upon protected forestland. The Koom Kalan police have registered a case against three residents of Mand Chaunta village for allegedly cutting trees and trying to encroach upon protected forestland. (HT File/ Representational image) The accused, identified as Harjinder Singh, Manjit Singh, and Mahinder Singh, reportedly damaged forest boundaries and felled trees to extend their adjoining farmland into the forest area. The case was registered following a complaint filed by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Davinder Singh. According to the DFO's report, the accused cut down around seven trees and ploughed 5.5 kanals of forestland in an attempt to claim it as their own. The accused own land adjacent to the forest and allegedly breached the boundary wall to carry out the encroachment. An official from the forest department said that the incident came to light during a routine inspection by the department's field team. Upon discovering the unauthorised ploughing and felling of trees, the department promptly filed a complaint with the police. ASI Sanjeev Kumar, the investigating officer, confirmed that after initial inquiry, a case was registered against the three individuals under Sections 303(2) and 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the Indian Forest Act, including 29, 30, 32, 33, and investigation into the matter is underway.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Demand for tree preservation Act grows as Punjab loses 1.13% forest and 0.28% tree cover in 22 years
BATHINDA: With decrease of over 1.4% geographical area under forest and tree cover in Punjab in the last over two decades, the voices for corrective measures have started rising to arrest the trend rather to increase the forest and tree cover in the state, which is one of the lowest in the country on the count. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Pro-environment organisations 'Vatrukh foundation' and 'Water warriors Punjab' have launched an email campaign urging Punjab government to enact an independent tree preservation act for Punjab. Emails have been sent to the Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker, Leader of opposition and the MLAs. The organisations have demanded to incorporate various sections in the proposed act including appointment of tree officer/s, restrictions on felling of trees, planting and preservation, penalty and compensation and provisions to revise the sections in the act. The organisations have demanded to promote large-scale tree plantation and maintenance, especially in urban and newly developed areas; Protect heritage and ecologically important trees; Establish tree protection committees for participatory governance. 'We support environmental conservation efforts and sustainable urban development. Roadside plantation obligation with developers of highways or canals must plant and maintain a 1:15 tree ratio along project lengths (15 trees per tree felled), with a 5-year survival guarantee in the proposed act', said Vatrukh foundation representative Samita Kaur and Manjit Singh from Water Warriors. They also demanded promotion of Agroforestry expansion by integrating trees with farming. Promote tree plantations on agricultural lands, Agroforestry promoting trees of high commercial value like Aquiliaria trees, Sandalwood plantation, Moringa Trees. Encourage fruit trees, timber species, and nitrogen-fixing trees. It also demanded sharing carbon credits with farmers adopting agroforestry. Sending monetary compensation of carbon credits directly to farmers' bank accounts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Making enrollment easy to carbon credits. Formalize the carbon credit scheme with a state-level registry, ensuring farmers receive 80% of credit revenue directly, surpassing current voluntary models. Punjab has lost 1.13 percent of the geographical area under forest cover and 0.28 percent of the geographical area under tree cover in the last 22 years. The forest cover, which was 4.80 percent of the geographical area in 2001, decreased to 3.67% of the geographical area in 2023, while the tree cover, which was 3.20% of the geographical area in 2001, decreased to 2.92% of the geographical area in 2023. Combined together the forest and tree cover deceased to 6.59% of the geographical area in 2023 from 8% in 2001 as per the Indian state of forest report (ISFR 2023). Punjab' Principal Chief Conservator of forests (HoFF) Dharminder Sharma recently laid out the data in an affidavit before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a petition arising out of a news item 'India lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000: Global Forest Watch' appeared in a section of press on April 13, 2024. As per the affidavit, the forest cover was recorded as 2432 square km in 2001 which was recorded at 1846.09 sq km in 2023 while tree cover which was recorded at 1634 sq km in 2001 was recorded at 1475.15 sq km in 2023. The decrease was recorded as 1.13 per centage of the geographical area in forest cover and 0.28 per cent in tree cover. In the meanwhile, pro-environment groups Public Action Committee (PAC) Mattewara Jungles, River Satluj and Buddha Darya, have decided to devote a week from July 1 to 7 for plantation drive turning it into 'People's movement for a greener, sustainable Punjab'. The event has been called a movement to reawaken bonds with nature, renew the vow to protect Punjab's ecological heritage with heart, hands, and hope with this not just about planting trees it is about cultivating a sustainable future for all. The aim has been put at plantation of 3,000–5,000 native saplings over 7 days, rejuvenation of the eco-sensitive floodplains of river Satluj, conservation of biodiversity and promotion of eco-tourism, awareness campaigns to ignite ecological consciousness among youth community-based responsibility for climate and environmental action, said PAC member Col (retd) CM Lakhanpal. He added the PAC is collaborating with government departments, panchayats and civil society as meetings have been held with DFO and range officers, reconnaissance site surveys have been conducted with selection of native species, area clearing and pit digging, mass mobilization through social media and public outreach. The campaign will include NGOs and civil society groups, students from school, colleges, environment enthusiasts and volunteers with the hope that every stakeholder to plant at least 100 saplings to help build mini forests for tomorrow.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Indian Express
Property dealer ‘kills' wife, son, then dies by suicide in Punjab village
Three members of a family were found dead around 4 pm inside a Toyota Fortuner (PB-65 AM-0082) parked near Changera village turn on the Banur–Tepla National Highway. Police identified the deceased as Sandeep Singh (45), a property dealer from Sikhwala village in Bathinda district; his wife Mandeep Kaur (42) and their 15-year-old son Abhay. A .32-bore pistol was still in Sandeep's hand, and all three victims had single gunshot wounds to the head, leading investigators to treat the case as a 'familial murder-suicide'. Farm labourers installing a tube-well in neighbouring fields spotted the bodies and immediately alerted the Banur police. Station House Officer (SHO) and DSP (Rajpura) Manjit Singh led the first responders to the scene. 'The preliminary investigation points to a collective suicide. Sandeep's .32-bore pistol was recovered from his hand,' DSP Manjit Singh said. 'It appears he shot his wife and son first and then himself.' The SUV's engine was still running when the officers arrived; they switched it off before securing the area. The bodies were sent to Civil Hospital, Rajpura, for a post-mortem. A case was registered. 'Sandeep was always cheerful. We never imagined he would take such a step,' said the property dealer's relative Amrinder Singh. According to Amrinder Singh, the family had earlier lived in Gurugram but moved to Sector 109, Mohali, three years ago, where they were building a 700-sq-yd home while residing in MR Flats. No suicide note was found. Amrinder said Sandeep earned 'substantial profits' in real estate and the family was financially secure. 'Personal discord or mental stress might have driven this act, but we are examining every possibility,' the DSP added. A police team visited the victims' Mohali residence, seizing CCTV DVRs, documents and mobile phones to pinpoint the motive. Sandeep's brother in Bathinda and sister in the United States were informed of the tragedy. The bodies would remain in the mortuary until the victims' relatives arrived for the last rites.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Punjab horror: Property dealer shoots wife, teenage son, dies by suicide; bodies found in Toyota Fortuner
PATIALA: A man allegedly shot his wife and teenaged son before taking his own life near Changera village on Banur-Tepla road. Bodies of all three were found inside a Fortuner SUV parked by the roadside near fields. Deceased Sandeep Singh Rajpal (45) was from Sikhwala village in Lambi, Bathinda district. He had been living in Emaar, Sector 109, Mohali, with his wife Mandeep Kaur (42), and their 15-year-old son Abhay for seven to eight years. Police reported that Abhay was not in sound mental health. Workers installing a tubewell in the fields nearby discovered the vehicle around 4.30pm. Upon noticing the bodies inside the SUV, they notified Banur police. Station house officer (SHO) Arshdeep Sharma, investigating officer Hardev Singh, and ASI Jaswinderpal arrived at the scene with their team, followed by DSP Rajpura Manjit Singh and a forensic science laboratory (FSL) team. Police found the Fortuner still running with the air conditioner on and the doors unlocked. They said that a pistol was recovered from Sandeep Singh's hand, who was seated in the driver's seat. His wife was in the passenger seat, and their son was in the rear seat. All three had gunshot wounds to the head. Authorities believe that Sandeep Singh first shot his wife and son before taking his own life. However, police have not ruled out other possibilities and have initiated a detailed investigation. "It appears to be a suicide case, but the motive is still unknown. We are waiting for further inputs from the post-mortem and statements from family members," said DSP Manjit Singh. Amarinder Singh, a relative, said that the deceased came from a farming background and was also involved in real estate dealings. "I spoke to him just a week ago. He didn't seem disturbed," Amarinder added. His brother lives in their native village, while his sister resides abroad.
