Rahul Kumar
Climate-Smart Vegetable Production under Protected Structures
Village- Simrauli, District- Hapur, State- Uttar Pradesh
INTRODUCTION :
Mr. Rahul Kumar (32 years), an enterprising agripreneur based at Simrauli, Hapur (Uttar Pradesh), has successfully ventured into protected cultivation for crop production and nursery raising. A Science graduate (B.Sc.) by qualification, he comes from a family engaged in the school education business. In search of a professionally satisfying enterprise with modest and sustainable income, and driven by his deep interest in nature, he was naturally inclined toward agriculture. Although he attended several commercial training programmes, his entrepreneurial direction became clear after participating in training on protected cultivation and vegetable grafting nursery at ICAR–CAZRI, which motivated him to pursue agriculture as a full-time, technology-driven enterprise.
TRAINING :
Mr. Kumar attended a one-month EDP at the ABI Centre, ICAR–CAZRI in September 2023. Staying on the institute campus throughout the training period, he fully utilized the opportunity to gain in-depth technical and practical knowledge, laying a strong foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. He was among the most interactive and inquisitive trainees, consistently demonstrating curiosity, initiative, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
ACHIEVEMENTS :
After gaining initial experience by working with established nurseries, Mr. Kumar planned to establish his own vegetable nursery enterprise. He began by renovating a non-functional protected structure near Karnal and operating it on a lease basis. Subsequently, recognizing better market access and demand near the Delhi NCR region, he relocated to Hapur in 2025. There, he invested ₹30 lakh to establish four acres of protected structures dedicated to vegetable nursery raising and crop cultivation. The enterprise has since generated encouraging returns, earning an annual profit of approximately ₹30 lakh from seedling sales, highlighting the commercial viability of protected nursery enterprises.
IMPORTANCE FOR FARMERS :
Mr. Kumar’s success story demonstrates how a determined, landless youth, equipped with technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills, can secure a sustainable livelihood through modern horticulture. His enterprise has benefitted around 300 farmers, visitors, and trainees, motivating them to adopt advanced nursery techniques and protected cultivation practices for higher income and year-round employment.
RECOGNITION :
Mr. Kumar’s achievements have been featured in print and electronic media, enhancing his recognition as a progressive agripreneur. Building on this success, he plans to further strengthen his enterprise by expanding the protected nursery and especially grafted seedling business, particularly targeting high-potential regions of western-UP, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan to meet the growing demand for quality planting material.
