In the peaceful foothills of Himachal Pradesh, where the Himalayas rise like silent guardians and apple orchards stretch across the slopes, a quiet yet powerful transformation is taking shape. But this change isn’t being led by a seasoned farmer- it’s being spearheaded by a soldier who, after retiring from the Army, turned to the soil with a renewed sense of purpose. Colonel Divya Thakur, a retired Indian Army officer, has embraced a new mission: to bring back the true meaning of ‘organic’ in Indian farming and rebuild the trust between what is grown on the land and what reaches the consumer’s plate.
Colonel Thakur’s journey is deeply rooted in discipline and shaped by a legacy of service. As a fourth-generation Army officer and grandson of Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous) - honoured as the ‘Saviour of Kashmir’ during the 1947 operations- service to the nation runs in his blood. After retiring from the Army in 2019, with 37 years of selfless service to the nation, he found himself facing a very different kind of battle: the growing misuse of the ‘organic’ label in agriculture, where food often marketed as chemical-free was anything but organic. Determined to change that, he began a new chapter- this time, on the frontlines of sustainable farming.
From the Battlefield to the Orchard
After superannuation, Colonel Thakur initially settled in Greater Noida during what he describes as a “cooling period.” But in March 2020, as the world grappled with COVID-19 pandemic, the Colonel and his family moved to Himachal Pradesh to be with his father-in-law- also a retired Army General. During this time of global pause, deep conversations about the future led to a pivotal suggestion: revive the ancestral apple orchard, which had long been leased out on an annual contract.
Although he had no prior experience in agriculture, Colonel Thakur embraced the challenge. He spent a full year learning the nuances of apple farming- studying, observing, and understanding cultivation techniques. The ancestral orchard became the launchpad for a new mission, one rooted in sustainability and ethics.
Organic by Principle, Not by Trend
Colonel Thakur’s entry into agriculture was not driven by market trends but by a deep concern over the rampant misuse of the word ‘organic’. In India, ‘organic’ has become a buzzword often used to justify premium pricing, even when the produce isn’t cultivated according to organic standards. He observed that many farmers and traders falsely market their crops as organic, sometimes using chemical treatments right up to the harvest season.
Outraged by this lack of integrity, Colonel Thakur set out to create a model that stands in stark contrast- based on ethical practices, transparency and strict adherence to organic farming guidelines. He established a high-density apple orchard using imported M9 rootstock and cultivars. Unlike conventional orchards, his is in the process of undergoing a stringent three-year government certification process to ensure that every apple is genuinely organic- chemical-free, traceable, and grown with honesty.
When Duty Meets Soil: Values of the Soldier, Vision of the Farmer
Colonel Thakur attributes much of his farming philosophy to his military background. “Integrity, honesty, and discipline run in my blood,” he explains. These values, deeply ingrained since childhood and reinforced throughout his Army career, now guide every aspect of his work on the farm.
Raised in a family of servicemen, he studied at a Sainik School and graduated from a military academy before embarking on a distinguished Army career. For him, transitioning into organic farming wasn’t just a lifestyle change- it was a continuation of service to the nation, this time through agriculture.
Challenges in Certification: A System Needing Reform
The path to becoming a certified organic farmer is far from easy. India has two primary systems- natural and organic farming certification- with the latter being more demanding. Colonel Thakur registered as an Individual Farmer but soon learned that the system requires merging into a Local Group within three years. This transition, he says, resets many aspects of the certification process and adds layers of bureaucracy.
Forming a Local Group presents its own challenges. Convincing 5–6 farmers to adopt organic practices- especially when they are skeptical or unfamiliar with the methods- is a major hurdle. The extensive documentation and periodic inspections further complicate the journey. Yet, despite the red tape, Colonel Thakur remains committed to walking the difficult path, even if it be alone.
Sustainable Techniques and Continuous Learning
Innovation lies at the heart of Colonel Thakur’s farming model. Three years ago, he installed a solar bio-fermenter from Maharashtra- becoming only the fifth person in Himachal Pradesh to do so. This system enables the production of Jeevamruth, a natural bio-fertilizer fermented over six days and applied to the crops to enhance soil health and microbial activity. He has also installed “Fasal” which has 11 sensors to enable advance warning of irrigation requirement, rainfall, best time to spray, leaf wetness, disease and pest attack.
Additionally, he has implemented a drip irrigation system to optimize water use and minimize waste. For pest and disease management, he relies on neem oil, biocontrol agents, intercropping, and certified organic inputs. Constantly evolving, Colonel Thakur recently enrolled in a three-month online course at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) in Hyderabad, where he is deepening his knowledge of natural and organic farming techniques.
Why High-Density Apple Farming?
Replacing traditional apple trees- such as Royal Delicious, known globally for their flavour- was not an easy decision. But Colonel Thakur, after a year-long study of the market, opted for a high-density model using early-harvest Gala apple varieties. The strategy was simple but effective: early harvesting means early access to the market, which translates to better prices before market saturation occurs.
The high-density model also offers higher yields per acre and makes the trees easier to prune, maintain, and harvest. This, coupled with his commitment to quality and traceability, gives Colonel Thakur a clear edge in a competitive market.
Building Trust Through Transparency
Last year, Colonel Thakur sold his produce via traditional mandis. But starting this year, he has begun piloting a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model. He has established initial networks with societies in Chandigarh, Delhi, and Greater Noida to streamline logistics and distribution. While still in its early stages, the D2C model allows him to retain quality control and ensure consumers receive authentic organic apples directly.
What sets his model apart is the promise of complete traceability. From next year onwards, consumers will be able to access a digital platform detailing where the apples were grown, when they were harvested, and the methods used. This level of transparency is rare in Indian agriculture and aims to re-establish consumer trust in organic labels.
Fostering a Collective Movement
Colonel Thakur’s work goes beyond his own farm. He has been instrumental in forming the Jujurana Farmer Producer Company (FPC), registered three years ago. With around 500 farmers currently associated, the FPC includes specialized wings- beekeeping (40 beekeepers), natural farming (40–50 farmers), and organic farming (10–15 farmers).
This collective model empowers marginal and small farmers, making it feasible for them to explore D2C and B2C avenues. “An individual marginal farmer may find it difficult to manage logistics alone. But as a group, we can overcome these challenges,” he says. Through this model, farmers can demand fair prices, reduce exploitation by middlemen, and gain access to training and certification support.
Road Ahead: Reform and Replication
Despite believing that India’s current certification system is structured and fairly transparent, Colonel Thakur feels there is room for improvement. He recommends stronger enforcement, increased farmer training, and wider consumer awareness to counter greenwashing effectively. He cites peer-to-peer appraisals and six-monthly external inspections as positives, but calls for greater grassroots engagement.
Looking ahead, Colonel Thakur hopes to transform his orchard into a model farm- a living laboratory where farmers, students, and stakeholders can learn firsthand the intricacies of truly organic agriculture. He envisions a community-led transformation where others can replicate his model and collectively elevate the integrity of India’s organic produce sector.
A New Kind of Service to the Nation
For Colonel Divya Thakur, farming is not just cultivation- it is an extension of his lifelong ethos of service. By marrying military discipline with ecological ethics, he has created a pioneering template for authentic organic farming in India. His orchard is more than a business; it is a movement for change, honesty and sustainability in a sector crying out for reform.
His message to farmers is simple but profound: "Don’t walk alone- organize, collaborate, and commit to transparency. Profitability and integrity can go hand in hand."
And just like that, from the battlefield to the orchard, Colonel Divya Thakur continues to serve India- this time, with apples and ethics.
