Vijay Bahadur Singh, the eldest son from Sabeya village in Bihar, stepped into the world of farming out of necessity rather than choice. While pursuing a B.Sc. in Biology, he had to leave his studies in the final year to take on family responsibilities and support his father on their farm. What began as a sense of duty gradually transformed into a deep-rooted passion for agriculture.
Since 1981, Vijay has been fully engaged in farming, continuously learning through experience, refining his techniques, and embracing sustainable practices long before they gained widespread recognition. Through dedication and innovation, he has built a thriving 16-acre integrated farm, with five acres under high-density mango cultivation and the remaining land used for growing paddy, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds, creating a model of sustainable success.
A 16-Acre Farm That Tells a Bigger Story
Today, Vijay Bahadur Singh cultivates 16 acres of land that stand as a testament to his belief in integrated and sustainable farming. While he once helped manage nearly 100 acres with his extended family, the land has since been divided, and his personal share now spans 16 acres, each inch thoughtfully utilized. His farm reflects both traditional knowledge and modern innovation.
He grows paddy, including Sonachur and BPT varieties, entirely organically using Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, neem-based bio-inputs, and vermicompost produced on-site. His wheat is cultivated using the zero tillage method, helping conserve soil moisture and reduce carbon emissions. Alongside cereals, he grows pulses and oilseeds like gram, masoor (lentils), mustard, and rapeseed, ensuring year-round crop diversity.
A significant portion of five acres is dedicated to a high-density mango orchard where over 16 varieties thrive under drip and sprinkler irrigation systems that he established as early as 2007. His farm also includes cattle and buffaloes that support the family's nutritional needs and provide raw material for organic manure. Notably, he operates 25 vermicompost tanks, producing around 600 to 700 quintals annually, enough to meet his own needs and generate extra income. Vijay also breeds and sells two types of composting earthworms—Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae, making his farm not only self-reliant but a resource hub for others seeking organic farming inputs.
Nilgai Problem—and Vijay’s Innovative Solution
One of the most destructive problems farmers face in North India is damage caused by Nilgai. These large antelope-like animals are notorious for trampling crops, breaking fencing, and devouring young plants. For farmers like Vijay, their presence meant constant losses.
Initially, he tried bamboo fencing, iron barriers, and other conventional methods. But nothing worked. That’s when Vijay decided to try something different: paranet nylon netting, a material typically used for shading in nurseries and greenhouses. The strong yet flexible structure of the paranet confused the Nilgai, preventing them from entering his mango orchard. Unlike rigid barriers that the animals would eventually force their way through, the mesh-like paranet posed a psychological deterrent. To his surprise and relief the solution worked.
This simple, low-cost innovation has now saved countless plants in his orchard and earned Vijay recognition from the Bihar Agricultural University (BAU). He was awarded for his contribution and invited to join BAU’s Research Council as a Chairperson. What’s more, he now manufactures and sells the paranet barriers to other farmers, opening another revenue stream.
Awards, Recognition, and Public Engagement
Vijay’s approach to farming has earned him accolades from various quarters. His mango orchard has won several awards at Bihar’s Mango Festivals, and his innovative farming model has been featured by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and agricultural universities. He has also collaborated with private sector players and NGOs working to promote organic and climate-resilient agriculture.
But for Vijay, the recognition is more than just a badge of honor, it’s a platform to spread awareness among fellow farmers. He regularly hosts visits from other farmers and shares his methods, helping others adopt sustainable and profitable farming techniques.
A Thriving Market and Income Diversification
What sets Vijay’s farming model apart is its intelligent diversification, ensuring he’s never dependent on a single source of income. He earns from a variety of channels, selling cereals and pulses to local mandis as well as markets in other states, marketing his high-quality vermicompost and earthworms, and generating income from dairy products produced by his cattle and buffaloes. His thriving mango orchard contributes significantly through the sale of diverse varieties of mangoes, while an innovative addition, selling paranet netting used to protect crops from Nilgai adds yet another revenue stream.
This well-rounded system allows Vijay to earn between Rs 12 to Rs 16 lakhs annually. Even during challenging seasons, the multiple income sources provide him with consistent financial security.
Sustainability at the Core
Vijay Bahadur Singh stands out for his steadfast dedication to environmentally conscious farming. His entire agricultural approach is rooted in sustainability, where conserving resources and protecting the ecosystem are as important as productivity. He employs drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, significantly reducing water consumption. Instead of relying on chemical fertilizers, he uses organic inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and neem extracts to enrich the soil naturally.
For wheat cultivation, he has adopted zero tillage practices, which help preserve soil structure and cut down on carbon emissions. Harvesting is done manually, eliminating the need for fuel-guzzling machinery and further lowering the farm’s carbon footprint. Additionally, he recycles farm waste by converting it into nutrient-rich compost through vermiculture. These sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but also make sound financial sense, reducing external dependencies, lowering input costs, and increasing the overall resilience and profitability of his farm.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Vijay Bahadur Singh’s story isn’t just about his personal success; it’s about how one man’s commitment to the land can serve as a blueprint for others. In a region where many still rely on monoculture farming or seasonal migration for livelihood, he has shown that integrated farming can offer both stability and prosperity.
He often emphasizes the importance of knowledge-sharing, mentoring younger farmers, and staying open to learning. His message to the farming community is simple: diversify, adopt sustainable practices, and don’t be afraid to innovate.
Vijay Bahadur Singh is more than a farmer, he is a steward of the land, an innovator, and a community leader. His 16-acre farm in Sabeya stands as a testament to what is possible when tradition meets innovation. As climate challenges and resource constraints loom large over Indian agriculture, stories like Vijay’s offer not just hope, but a roadmap for sustainable and profitable farming in rural India.
