Avnish Tyagi, hailing from Nagla Akkhu village in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, was once a dedicated senior secondary school mathematics teacher. Despite his passion for teaching, he always found time to help his father on the family farm. In 1990, his father established a mango orchard on an acre of land, cultivating traditional mango varieties like Bombay Green, Dasheri, Langra, Chaunsa, and Alphonso.
However, despite their hard work and commitment, the profits from these varieties remained low. Determined to turn their venture into a successful and profitable business, Avnish and his father faced significant challenges, but they never gave up.
A New Beginning: Avnish's Commitment to the Family Orchard
In 2019, as the world struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Avnish made a life-changing decision. He left his teaching career to fully commit to the family orchard, recognizing that the responsibility of managing and growing the farm now fell on his shoulders, especially as his father was aging. This marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with challenges, but also an unwavering determination to succeed.
With a clear focus on innovation and research, Avnish began to look for ways to improve the orchard’s profitability. He discovered improved mango varieties developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, Delhi. These new varieties, such as Amrapali and Mallika, were not only known for their nutritional value and higher yields but also fetched better market prices due to their enhanced flavor and productivity. This discovery was a turning point in the orchard’s success story, paving the way for a significant increase in their profits.
Adoption of Colored Mango Varieties and Sustainable Practices
By 2013, Avnish had already started planting colored mango varieties like Pusa Lagima, Pusa Surya, Pusa Pratibha, and Kesar in his orchard. He also learned about the Saghan Baghwani scheme, which encouraged the planting of IARI-developed mango varieties.
Under this scheme, he planted various colored mango varieties, such as Amrapali, Mallika, Pusa Peetamber, Pusa Arunima, Pusa Pratibha, Pusa Shrestha, Pusa Lalima, Pusa Manohari, Pusa Lagima, and Pusa Surya, all at a crop distance of 6m x 6m. These varieties proved to be a game changer for the orchard's productivity and profitability.
Benefits of Growing Colored Mango Varieties
The benefits of growing colored mango varieties became increasingly evident as these varieties offered numerous advantages. Rich in essential vitamins and antioxidants like beta-carotene, they promote eye health and boost immunity. Their vibrant colors attract more consumers, resulting in higher demand and better market prices.
Many of these mangoes also have enhanced flavors that appeal to those seeking unique taste experiences, while certain varieties boast a longer shelf life, reducing waste during transport and storage, thus increasing profitability. Additionally, these improved varieties are bred for higher yields, ensuring better returns for farmers. Some also offer better resistance to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions and promoting more sustainable farming practices.
Avnish Tyagi’s Sustainable Farming Practices & Resource Optimization
Avnish also embraced sustainable farming practices, including green manuring and mulching with crops like Sunn hemp and Dhaincha, soil testing and enrichment, and natural pest management using organic solutions like Brahmastra and Neemastra. He adopted grafting techniques to optimize space and resources, diversify the orchard and make the best use of available land.
Growth, Success, and Profit
Avnish’s innovative approach has led to significant expansion of his orchard. Today, it spans 40 bighas and produces nearly 22 varieties of mangoes. He now employs a team of 4-5 workers to manage the orchard, ensuring its smooth operation. Avnish sells his traditional mango varieties for Rs 20-25 per kg, while the colored varieties are sold for Rs 70-100 per kg.
His business is thriving, generating a net profit of Rs 1.5 lakh from traditional varieties and Rs 5 lakh from the colored varieties annually. This success story is a testament to the power of patience, hard work, and innovation.
Avnish’s Message to Fellow Farmers
Avnish's journey is a remarkable example of transformation, perseverance, and success. Reflecting on his achievements, he shared his message with other farmers: "Patience, dedication, and a willingness to embrace change are key ingredients for success in agriculture." He hopes his story will inspire fellow farmers to take bold steps toward enhancing their ventures, highlighting the importance of working with commitment and a willingness to learn.
He concluded, “I am grateful to Krishi Jagran for sharing my story. I believe this will inspire many farmers to follow the path of innovation and sustainability. My message to farmers is simple: with patience and dedication, we can achieve great success.”
Avnish Tyagi’s story is an inspiring example of how hard work, dedication, and the willingness to embrace new ideas can transform a family farm into a thriving business. From a single acre to 40 bighas, Avnish’s innovative approach to mango farming has not only resulted in higher yields and profits but has also set a new standard for sustainable agricultural practices. His success continues to inspire farmers to adapt, learn, and take bold steps toward achieving their own success in agriculture.
