Harshvardhan Tyagi, born and raised in Bhatisana village in Hapur district, Uttar Pradesh, comes from a farming family but initially pursued a different path. With a background in management studies, he worked in the professional world before turning back to his roots. In 2019, driven by a growing awareness of the importance of healthy food and sustainable living, he decided to start natural and organic farming on his ancestral land of 1.5 hectares.
Rather than relying on chemical inputs, he embraced traditional farming methods combined with modern organic practices. His land, situated in the fertile plains of western Uttar Pradesh, proved ideal for crops like basmati rice (PB-1121 and 1509), turmeric, mustard, pulses (moong, urad, masoor), and seasonal green vegetables. He also owns a flourishing mango orchard featuring premium varieties like Chausa.
Establishing Aarambh Sheel Kisan FPO
Realizing the challenges small farmers face in marketing their produce and accessing fair prices, Tyagi founded the Aarambh Sheel Kisan Utpadak Sahakari Samiti under the Cooperative Act in 2022. As the founder and chairman, he mobilized a collective of farmers from nearby areas and built an FPO that focuses on processing, branding, packaging, and direct marketing.
With a clear vision, he established B2C (Business-to-Consumer) linkages, targeting the urban customer base in Delhi-NCR. Their fresh and chemical-free products are now directly delivered to households and bulk buyers. The FPO’s annual turnover has crossed Rs. 1 crore within just a couple of years, a testament to the demand for clean, locally grown food and the power of collective farming.
From Soil to Shelf: A Self-Sustaining Agri Model
The Aarambh Sheel FPO not only cultivates but also handles post-harvest processing and value addition. Turmeric is cleaned, dried, and powdered in-house before packaging. Similarly, pulses and rice are processed and sold under the FPO's own brand, creating value and increasing farmer income. This integrated model ensures farmers are not just producers, but also stakeholders in the marketing chain.
The cooperative approach has empowered smallholder farmers by eliminating middlemen, offering better profit margins, and creating rural employment. Tyagi’s work extends beyond his own farm, he actively supports other farmers in adopting organic methods and improving soil health through crop rotation and reduced chemical usage.
Recognition and Awards
Harshvardhan Tyagi’s FPO and personal contributions have been widely recognized:
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Outstanding FPO Award from the Honourable Agriculture Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
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Recognition Award at the XXXI Annual Zonal Workshop of the KVKs of Uttar Pradesh (September 2024).
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Excellence in Farmer Producer Organisation Management from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Agriculture & Technology University, Meerut (December 2024).
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Second Prize at the Uttar Pradesh Aam Mahotsav 2025 for his Chausa mangoes.
On 6th July 2025, Harshvardhan Tyagi was awarded by the Honourable Union Education Minister of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji, for his outstanding contribution to farmer education in organic and natural farming in Hapur district.
Role in GFBN and Future Vision
Dr. Harshvardhan Tyagi recently joined the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), a national initiative by Krishi Jagran to bring together innovative and sustainable agripreneurs. As a GFBN member, he now shares his model with other farmers, especially those interested in forming FPOs, direct-to-consumer marketing, and chemical-free food production. He also mentors young rural entrepreneurs in agri-processing and branding.
Looking ahead, he plans to scale the FPO’s operations, introduce e-commerce solutions for direct farm-to-home delivery, and expand the product range to include herbal products and cold-pressed oils. He is also working toward developing a farm tourism initiative where consumers can visit, understand organic farming, and connect directly with the farmers who grow their food.
Sowing Seeds of Inspiration
Harshvardhan Tyagi’s journey from a management graduate to a progressive organic farmer and FPO leader showcases the immense potential of agripreneurship in rural India. With vision, discipline, and dedication to community welfare, he has built a model that is profitable, sustainable, and replicable.
He believes, “Agriculture is not just a way of living, it’s a way of leading change. When farmers grow together, India grows stronger.”
Through his leadership in Aarambh Sheel FPO and his role in GFBN, he continues to inspire thousands of farmers to dream bigger, farm better, and market smarter.
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals—farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
