Once mocked for working in fields, this Moga woman generates Rs 80L annually from leased land

Mandeep Kaur Khaira, a 40-year-old woman from Talwandi Mallian village in Moga district, has transformed her life and built a thriving agricultural enterprise worth around Rs 80 lakh annually. Despite initial skepticism from her village, Mandeep and her husband, Jagdeep Singh Khaira, began farming on leased land nearly two decades ago. Initially, villagers questioned their decision, as women were not commonly associated with fieldwork, but Mandeep remained determined.

Starting with about 9-10 acres of leased land, Mandeep gradually expanded their farming operations to around 40 acres, owning three tractors and seven trolleys. Their success came through diversifying their crops, moving away from traditional wheat and paddy to include potatoes, cauliflower, radish, beetroot, saag, maize, moong, and short-duration paddy. This diversification strategy has allowed them to improve profit margins and reinvest in the business.

Today, the Khaira family owns a variety of agricultural machinery, including three tractors and seven tractor-trolleys, which they also rent out to other farmers, adding to their income stream. The family pays approximately Rs 28 lakh annually for the lease of their 40 acres, with input costs amounting to around Rs 22-23 lakh, leaving them with a profitable margin.

Mandeep, who manages the farm herself, takes on various farming tasks, including driving tractors, working in the fields, cultivating crops, cutting fodder, and milking cattle. Her husband, Jagdeep, provides valuable support and guidance, encouraging her ambitions and teaching her practical farming skills. Together, they have built a strong foundation for their agricultural business, with their children now contributing to the family's efforts. Mandeep's dream is to eventually purchase their own piece of agricultural land.