LUDHIANA, DECEMBER 15: A progressive organic vegetable grower Sardar Chamkaur Singh Gholia, hailing from village Gholia in district Moga, has been instrumental in carving his own markets, solidifying the farm to fork concept. Being well-versed with direct selling and the preferences of consumers, Sardar Gholia has been following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) as per recommendations of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and is running a brand “Kudarti Kheti Farm from Moga.” With ushering in of winter season, Sardar Gholia alongwith his team is engaged in distribution of traditional foods of Punjab like sarson da saag, makki di roti, hara daal, traditional chutney, butter (makhan) and chhati di lassi, resulting in healthy integration of consumers and producers.

Sardar Gholia said: “Our group is catering to the tastes of all types of consumers, be it rural or urban, in a very efficient manner. The agribusiness is growing at a good pace since 2011 and has sustained our economic prosperity.”

Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Head, Department of Vegetable Science, lauded Sardar Gholia’s organic vegetable  farming model and appreciated the efforts of Kudarti Kheti Farm team. He observed that organic vegetable cultivation was a way to healthy life of Punjabi consumers, and win-win situation for consumer-producer. Commending PAU trained farmer for satisfying the cravings of consumers, Dr Dhillon called for promoting this model amongst other vegetable growers of Punjab.

Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director of School of Business Studies, explained that the concept of mobile vegetable van involved day-wise routes for direct selling of processed food products to rural and urban consumers as well as rural markets.  Besides, this farmer was also selling fresh vegetables and fruits for good health of residents, he informed. Sardar Gholia has successfully implemented mobile van concept and emerged as a role model for rural youths, who should adopt it at the earliest to do away with the financial constraints, he said.

Dr Jagwinder Singh Grewal, Commissioner Corporation-cum-ADC (General) Moga, while appreciating the PAU alumnus for promoting a group of organic farmers of Moga by organizing organic mandis and kisan huts, stressed upon adoption of this concept for rural youth empowerment.