Agartala, October 25, 2025: Hiralal Das, a dynamic and committed youth from East Ramchandra Ghat village in Tripura’s Khowai district, has emerged as a beacon of change in his community. Known for his unwavering dedication to community service, Das has been at the forefront of several grassroots initiatives aimed at uplifting rural livelihoods through sustainable agriculture.
Driven by a vision to transform his village, Mr. Das began his journey with traditional farming methods. Prior to 2019–20 and before the intervention of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Khowai, he cultivated paddy over 2.4 acres during the Kharif season and grew potatoes on 0.8 acres during Rabi, both without scientific practices. His potato yield stood at just 26.8 quintals. Alongside farming, he reared six indigenous cattle, local ducks and goats, and managed a 0.1-acre pond that generated a modest annual profit of Rs 4,000. His total annual income at the time was Rs 76,653.
The turning point came with KVK Khowai’s intervention. Das adopted the Soil Health Card system, enabling him to optimize input use applying lime at just 10% of the actual requirement and embrace modern, scientific farming techniques. This shift marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation.
He expanded his cultivation of True Potato Seed to 1.2 acres, earning a net annual return of Rs 87,195. Transitioning from grain to seed production, he began cultivating high-quality paddy varieties Gomati, Tripura Chikon, and Tripura Nirog on 0.8 acres in collaboration with ICAR Tripura Centre and KVK Khowai.
Diversification became a key strategy. Das introduced spine gourd cultivation with integrated pest management on 0.4 acres, yielding Rs 33,420 annually. He also grew early cabbage using integrated crop and nutrient management techniques on another 0.4 acres, earning Rs 25,320. By timing his cabbage harvest early, he sold it at an average of Rs 24/kg—nearly double the usual market rate of Rs 12–15/kg.
His livestock enterprise also expanded. He began rearing 110 Khaki Campbell ducks along his pond embankment, producing 6,000 eggs annually. Additionally, he started producing vermicompost using cow dung and crop residues, which he uses on his farm and sells earthworms to fellow farmers.
Thanks to the Scientific Integrated Farming System model promoted by KVK, Das’ net annual income soared to Rs 2,81,457, a 267% increase in just six years. His success has not only improved his family’s standard of living but also inspired a wave of change among rural youth in his village and neighboring areas.
Under his leadership, the Soil Health Scout Team has been established in East Ramchandra Ghat, ensuring that farmers receive Soil Health Cards at their doorsteps. This initiative is enhancing productivity and promoting sustainable practices across the region.
Today, Hiralal Das stands as a role model for aspiring farmers, proving that with the right knowledge and support, traditional agriculture can evolve into a thriving, eco-friendly enterprise that benefits both the environment and the economy.
