In Ratnana village of Punjab’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (also called Nawanshahr) district, 40-year-old Dr Pankaj Kumar has redefined sustainable farming by cultivating Moringa Oleifera, popularly often called the drumstick, Sahjan, or miracle tree, on two acres he rented. A postgraduate in yoga and naturopathy, Pankaj has not solely damaged away from the state’s conventional wheat-paddy cycle but additionally elevated Punjab’s presence within the world market.
By way of his firm, Vela Cell India, Pankaj exports premium moringa leaf powder price Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore yearly to Germany. That is made potential by his partnership with German businessman Harald Seibel, who operates the Germany-based Vela Cell UG firm.
Pankaj started impartial moringa cultivation in 2022 after leasing 8.5 acres for Rs 6 lakh yearly. Drawing inspiration from his affiliation with Harald and his earlier companions, Pankaj, who has been working as a yoga teacher and naturopathy with Nawanshahr-based Kirpal Sagar Charitable Institute, the place Harald had been an everyday customer, Pankaj determined to take over the cultivation. His familiarity with Harald’s work in sourcing moringa from the world motivated him to revive the operations.
With dedication and innovation, Pankaj now processes moringa leaves into high-quality inexperienced moringa powder, showcasing the potential of sustainable and natural farming in Punjab on a worldwide platform.
Pankaj emphasises the meticulous course of concerned in producing and exporting natural moringa powder. The crop is grown underneath strict natural circumstances, and licensed underneath the Nationwide Programme for Natural Manufacturing (NPOP) and the European Union (EU) requirements. Every export batch undergoes rigorous testing in government-approved laboratories to make sure high quality and compliance. To protect its dietary worth, the powder is vacuum-packed in 2 kg silver pouches.
Pankaj cultivates a high-density number of Moringa, which is particularly designed to develop to a manageable top of 3-4 toes, permitting solely the leaves to be harvested. “We planted recent moringa saplings final August, and the leaves are harvested 3-4 occasions in a yr,” he defined. As soon as planted, Moringa bushes, which develop quickly, require little or no water for irrigation and must be changed after 5-6 years. He additional mentioned that they put together their very own seeds and saplings for cultivation, guaranteeing the standard of their produce. “Not like taller moringa bushes the place drumsticks are harvested, we focus solely on leaf manufacturing,” he added.
Describing the processing methodology, Pankaj highlighted the precision required to retain the dietary integrity of leaves. The freshly picked leaves are washed in saline water trice inside half-hour of harvesting, as delays can result in a lack of vitamins. They’re then dried at managed temperatures of 25–45°C to retain their dietary worth earlier than being processed into powder at a facility close to the fields. “Each step, from cultivation to packaging, is dealt with with utmost care to fulfill worldwide requirements,” he emphasised.
Sharing insights concerning the moringa yield, Pankaj mentioned an acre of moringa cultivation produces 500–700 kg of powder yearly, priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 per kg. This interprets to income of Rs 50–Rs 70 lakh per acre. “If a farmer follows all required parameters to provide high-quality moringa powder, they’ll simply earn Rs 25– Rs30 lakh per acre every year after bills.”
“Moringa powder is a pure immune booster. It’s wealthy in calcium, Omega 3, 6, 9, magnesium and over 103 micronutrients. It treats malnutrition and prevents a number of deadliest illnesses, which is why it has excessive world calls for,” Pankaj mentioned.
Talking with The Indian Categorical, Harald, who’s at present in Nawanshahr, praised the standard of moringa cultivated in Punjab. “I’ve been sourcing moringa powder from Punjab since 2018, initially by means of different companions. Now, I’m collaborating with Pankaj,” he mentioned.
Harald additional mentioned he brings groups of consultants and scientists from Germany to examine the moringa cultivation and processing items.
“Not too long ago, a workforce of scientists and pharmacists from Germany visited the farm. After thorough testing and assembly all parameters, we import the powder to Germany, the place the demand is substantial,” he added.
Pankaj makes use of natural strategies to manage pests, together with garlic and chilli paste and depends on cow dung as fertiliser. To forestall smoke and ash from affecting his crops, he manages stubble in close by paddy fields in order that it shouldn’t be set on hearth after the fields’ homeowners harvest the paddy. He additionally makes use of it as mulch on his farm to retain soil moisture and management weeds.
Along with moringa, Pankaj cultivates different medicinal crops on the remaining land corresponding to ashwagandha, brahmi — also called a mind energy booster — and gotu kola. He additionally grows distinctive wheat varieties like black wheat, khpali wheat, and Sona Moti wheat, which fetch him premium costs. He sells wheat for Rs 8,000 per quintal, considerably larger than the federal government’s MSP of Rs 2,400. He produces 80 kg of Brahmi powder yearly and 50 kg of ashwagandha powder biennially, priced at Rs 13,000 to Rs 15,000 per kg, respectively. Moreover, he cultivates black turmeric (used for medicinal functions), onions and mustard.
Pankaj’s farm features a Rs 20 lakh processing unit and employs each everlasting and seasonal staff for leaf selecting and processing. Supported by his father Raj Kumar, Pankaj plans to broaden moringa cultivation and medicinal farming. Initially from Alwar, Rajasthan, the household migrated to Punjab a number of years in the past.
“That is just the start. The demand for natural and medicinal merchandise is immense, and I goal to extend cultivation regularly,” Pankaj mentioned.
“My purpose isn’t solely to spotlight the profitability of sustainable farming but additionally to showcase that nothing promotes your well being greater than nature itself and the way innovation and dedication in farming can thrive within the world market,” Pankaj emphasised.
