In the remote Himalayan foothills of Himachal Pradesh, a remarkable story of discipline, integrity, and service is quietly taking root. Colonel Divya Thakur, a retired Indian Army officer, has embarked on a mission to redefine what ‘organic’ truly means in Indian agriculture. Hailing from a proud fourth-generation military lineage and grandson of the legendary Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous), the first Maha Vir Chakra awardee of 1947 operations and also called ‘Saviour of Kashmir’ - Colonel Divya’s life has always been anchored in service.
After superannuating from the Army, he chose a new battlefield: restoring credibility to organic farming. Alarmed by the widespread misuse of the term ‘organic’ - often used to market produce still treated with chemical sprays - Colonel Divya took the more difficult, principled path. He established a high-density apple orchard using imported M9 rootstock (with cultivars), now undergoing a rigorous three-year government certification process to ensure the produce is truly organic (chemical-free) and fully traceable. This is not merely farming - it is a disciplined act of service to the community. A declaration that honesty, sustainability and long-term consumer trust still hold value in Indian agriculture.
To delve deeper into the inspiration behind this innovation and its real-world implications, Shivam Dwivedi from Krishi Jagran spoke to Colonel Divya Thakur. In a detailed conversation, he shared valuable insights into his journey and vision. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
1. From serving the nation in uniform to cultivating the land - what inspired this transition to organic apple farming in Himachal Pradesh? Was there a particular moment or realization that pushed you in this direction?
I retired from the Indian Army in 2019 and initially settled in Greater Noida - cooling period. In March 2020, we planned to move to Himachal Pradesh- to be with my father-in-law. Around the same time, COVID-19 pandemic struck, which gave us ample time to deliberate, discuss and brainstorm our future course of action.
My father-in-law, who is also a retired Army officer, suggested that instead of taking up another job, I should consider reviving and managing the family apple orchard, which was being given on a yearly contract. Though challenging, but it was a logical suggestion, especially after years of regimented service life. Although I had no prior experience in apple farming, I became interested and spent about a year learning the nuances of apple cultivation -studying, observing, and understanding the process. The ancestral land of my father-in-law was an orchard which was being given on a yearly contract since he, too, had been in the Army. This gave me a firm base to start from and sparked the beginning of my journey into organic apple farming.
2. As a retired Indian Army officer, how has your military experience shaped your approach to farming, especially when it comes to discipline, integrity, and your commitment to truly organic practices?
First, I’d like to share a bit of my background - my father, grandfather, great-grandfather and elder brother were all in the Army, so I was born and raised in such a family. I studied at a Sainik School, went on to attend a military academy and then served in the Indian Army. Values like integrity, honesty and discipline run in my blood. These qualities have been deeply ingrained in me from the very beginning and they are non-negotiable and a natural part of who I am. So, when I transitioned into my second innings as a farmer, I carried these same values with me. They continue to guide my approach to farming, especially my commitment to discipline, integrity, and truly organic practices.
3. There’s widespread misuse of the term ‘organic’ in India. What are some of the common misconceptions or malpractices you've observed in the market, and how is your model different?
‘Organic’ has become a buzzword in India, and everyone seems to be encashing on it. Unfortunately, many are not genuinely following organic practices. What often happens is that, closer to the harvest season, some farmers or suppliers polish the produce, label it as organic, and sell it at premium prices - even when it hasn’t been cultivated following organic practices.
Traders in the market also procure products from non-organic sources and mislabel them as ‘Organic’ to sell at premium prices. There is very little regulation or enforcement to check such malpractices. From the consumer's perspective, they buy these products assuming they have been grown following organic practices, which is often not the case. This lack of honesty and integrity in the market is exactly what pushed me to adopt a model based on transparency, ethical practices, and a commitment to genuine organic farming.
4. The official three-year government certification process is rigorous. What challenges have you faced so far in maintaining strict organic standards, especially in a high-density apple orchard setup?
When it comes to organic certification, there are two types : natural farming certification and organic farming certification. The process for organic certification is particularly challenging. The first and most difficult part is that under this system, you can either register as an Individual Farmer (IF) or as part of a Local Group (LG).
Now, if you register as an Individual Farmer, you’re still required to eventually merge into an existing group within three years, and that transition is not easy. Even after merging, you’re still treated as a new entrant, which resets your certification timeline in many ways.
Forming a group of 5–6 farmers and convincing them to come on board is one of the biggest hurdles in forming a Local Group. Many are hesitant and fearful of adopting new organic practices, especially since they are unfamiliar with them and doubtful of its effectiveness. In addition, the extensive documentation and procedural requirements make the entire process even more difficult.
5. Could you tell us some of the key practices you follow- from soil health to pest management- that ensure your produce remains truly organic and chemical-free?
About three years ago, I installed a solar bio-fermenter, which I procured from Maharashtra. I was the fifth person in Himachal Pradesh to set up such a system and after that, many others in Kullu district began adopting it as well. I also have a drip irrigation system in place, which helps in efficient water usage.
One of the key practices I follow is preparing Jeevamruth through this solar bio-fermenter. It takes around six days to ferment and can be applied directly to the plants. This is a crucial input that helps maintain soil health and promotes microbial activity.
In addition, I use a variety of biocontrol agents, neem oil, other certified organic products and intercropping to manage pests and diseases. I am continuously learning and improving my methods. Recently, I have also enrolled for a three months online programme at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) in Hyderabad to gain intimate knowledge on Natural/ Organic practices and adopt those which are relevant to our context.
6. You’ve used imported apple varieties and a high-density planting method. What made you choose this model, and how does it compare in terms of yield, resilience, and sustainability?
Earlier, we already had what many considered the world’s most delicious apple varieties growing here i.e. Royal Delicious. So, it was a big challenge to uproot those traditional trees and adopt the high-density planting method.
However, the key advantage of the high-density model is a significantly higher yield per acre, the plants are easier to prune, maintain and harvest. I studied the market for a year before making the switch. One important insight I gained was that to get the best price, you need to be among the first to enter the market each season. As the season progresses and more apples flood the market, prices drop.
The high-density system i.e. Gala variety of apples are harvested early i.e. third week of Jul helping me reach the market ahead of others and get a good price for the produce. That was one of the main reasons I chose this model - for better yield, ease of maintenance, market timing, and overall efficiency.
7. This is not just farming, but a form of service. How do you ensure traceability and transparency for consumers, and what feedback have you received from early buyers or visitors?
Until last year, I was selling my produce through the local mandis. However, starting this year, I’ve shifted to a limited offline Direct-to-Consumer (D2C). I’ve connected with a couple of societies in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Greater Noida, and have started receiving a few orders from there.
I’ve been approaching this in a very deliberate and phased manner, primarily to understand and streamline the logistics and procedures involved in transportation. At the same time, I’ve started the process for product registration and certification.
From next year onwards, everything will be traceable and transparent. Consumers will be able to log in to a digital platform to access detailed information about the produce, including where it was grown, when it was harvested, and the practices followed. This will help build trust and give consumers confidence in the authenticity and quality of the product.
8. What message would you give to young or marginal farmers who feel pressured to compromise due to market forces or lack of support? Can organic B2C farming still be viable and profitable in today’s India?
An individual marginal farmer may find it difficult to engage in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) marketing on their own. So, what’s the solution? The key is to come together as a group, just like I did. I actively assisted in forming a Farmer Producer Company (FPC) here, which was registered three years ago (Jujurana Farmer Producer Company). I’ve been an active member since its inception, and today, we have a network of around 500 farmers. Within this FPC, we’ve also established a beekeeping wing with about 40 beekeepers, a natural farming wing with 40–50 farmers and an organic farming wing with around 10–15 farmers as well.
The idea is to bring more farmers under this collective umbrella. Once organized, they can effectively pursue D2C and B2C models and secure better prices for their produce. This not only improves their income but also inspires other farmers to join and adopt sustainable, chemical-free farming practices.
9. Do you believe the current government certification system for organic farming in India is strong enough to prevent greenwashing? What reforms or support would you like to see?
I believe that the certification system does have good practices in place. I recently attended a two-day workshop on organic farming and based on that experience, I can say the system is quite structured. It includes a peer-to-peer appraisal among farmers, followed by inspections from external agencies every six months to verify whether proper organic practices are being followed.
The process is more or less transparent, which makes greenwashing difficult. However, awareness and enforcement still needs to be strengthened, especially at the grassroots level. Continued training, better monitoring mechanism and increased consumer education would help make the system even more robust and trustworthy.
10. What’s next for your orchard? Are there plans to expand, collaborate with other farmers, or build a community model to promote authentic organic farming in the region?
As far as collaboration is concerned we are actively persuing more farmers joining Jujurana Farmer Producer Company to be able to increase the aggregate quantity and command better prices by collaborating with other FPCs and B2B organisations.
As an active member, I not only guide other farmers but also continuously educate myself so that I can help them get better prices for their produce. My goal is to motivate others and if I can do that successfully, I believe I will have contributed meaningfully to my community after serving my country.
I also aim to develop my farm into a model farm- a place where others can visit, see the practices I follow and replicate them on their own land. That, to me, is the true spirit of promoting authentic organic farming in the region.
(Compiled & written by Shivam Dwivedi)
Share your comments