Mahendra Choudhary
From Banker to Agri-Entrepreneur
Village- Rohilla Kalan, District- Jodhpur, State- Rajasthan
INTRODUCTION :
Mr. Mahendra Choudhary (40 years), an enterprising farmer from Rohilla Kalan, Jodhpur, has emerged as a leading entrepreneur in protected cultivation. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and served in the banking sector for four years before returning to his agricultural roots. Coming from a farming family and motivated to adopt modern agricultural technologies, he ventured into protected cultivation after receiving professional training and continuous technical guidance, with a clear vision to transform farming into a profitable enterprise.
TRAINING :
Mr. Choudhary received structured EDP training from the ABI Centre, ICAR–CAZRI during 20–29 August 2024. He was among the most sincere and dedicated trainees, actively engaging in classroom sessions and hands-on practicals to acquire in-depth technical knowledge and skills. Even after completing the training, he frequently visited ICAR–CAZRI to seek solutions to field-level challenges encountered during crop cultivation. Following the successful completion of training, he established a self-financed flat-roof nethouse covering 4,000 sqm on his farm at Rohilla Kalan.
ACHIEVEMENTS :
In October 2024, he planted his first cucumber crop under protected conditions, earning a net profit of Rs. 4.9 lakhs. Encouraged by this success, he continued with the second cucumber crop, and generated a net profit of Rs. 4.6 lakhs from summer crop. The third crop of cucumber is generating a net profit of Rs. 5.5 lakhs. Profitability of protected cultivation varies with both production volume and market price in different seasons. Mr. Choudhary has demonstrated how scientific interventions combined with entrepreneurial training can significantly enhance productivity and profitability in arid regions. He also manages a medium level dairy unit to diversify his family income.
IMPORTANCE FOR FARMERS :
His success has made his farm a learning platform for other farmers aspiring to adopt high-value vegetable cultivation under protected structures. The unit has been benefitting potential visiting farmers and trainees of EDP, motivating them to acquire technical skills and adopt scientific management practices for sustainable and profitable protected cultivation.
RECOGNITION :
Mr. Choudhary’s journey highlights how dedication, perseverance, and scientific management can transform protected cultivation into a successful enterprise in arid and semi-arid regions. His success story has been featured in print media (Haldhar Times) and electronic media (NDTV Rajasthan). Building on this momentum, he plans to further expand his enterprise by establishing an additional 8,000 sqm shade-net house within the next year and initiating cultivation under temporary shade structures.
