In an inspiring tale of agricultural innovation, a farmer from Haryana has demonstrated that deep market research and a shift to high-value crops can yield extraordinary profits. Ram Pal Saini, a 60-year-old from Dhamtori village in Kurukshetra, has built a multi-million rupee enterprise by focusing on the cultivation of black onion seeds, a niche product with high demand.
The Academic Turned Agripreneur
Ram Pal Saini is not a typical farmer. He holds a postgraduate degree in Commerce (MCom) from Kurukshetra University, which he completed in 1990. Before fully embracing agriculture, he explored other professions, working briefly as a temporary junior lecturer at Ganga Ram Sanatan Dharm Senior Secondary School in Ambala and later as an Accountancy Trade Instructor in an ITI under a government appointment. Although his family had farming roots, he only began independent farming in 2010, marking the start of a remarkable journey.
After meticulously analyzing agricultural market trends, Saini spotted a significant opportunity. He identified a substantial and consistent demand for high-quality onion seeds, particularly the black onion seed variety. This seed is prized for producing onions with a dark purple colour, superior shine, and an excellent storage life with minimal weight loss. Seeing the potential, he took a cautious first step.
Building a Seed Empire
Saini started his experiment in 2010 on just half an acre of land. The initial yield was encouraging, producing around two quintals of seed. The positive market response convinced him to scale up. By 2012, he had dedicated all seven acres of his owned land to black onion seed production.
Today, his annual production from these seven acres stands at an impressive 17–18 quintals of premium seed. In optimal conditions, his per-acre yield can reach a record five quintals, though the average is a solid 2.5 quintals. The financials are compelling. With market prices ranging between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 per kilogram, and an expenditure of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh per acre, his net profit per acre is around Rs 6 lakh. "But it is only because the farmer is hard-working and taking good care of his crop," Saini humbly notes.
He provides a stark comparison: "From wheat and paddy combined, a farmer cannot earn more than Rs 90,000 per acre if the land is owned by the farmer himself. In contrast, onion seed production generates at least five times the income from a single crop." Even in a bad year, he assures a minimum net income of Rs 1.5–2 lakh per acre.
A Meticulous and Diversified Model
Saini's operation is a model of efficiency and diversification. For seed production, he uses 14–18 quintals of onion bulbs per acre. He has also leased an additional two acres specifically for onion nursery (paneeri) cultivation. From these two acres, he prepares enough nursery plants for nearly 80 acres, selling it for about Rs 8 lakh per acre. After expenses, this nets him nearly Rs 3 lakh per acre in just two months.
The cycle doesn't end there. After selling the nursery by January, he uses the remaining plants on the same two acres to grow table onions, harvesting 200–230 quintals per acre. Sold at wholesale for around Rs 15 per kg, this adds another Rs 4 lakh to his income between January and May.
His process is precise. After the May harvest, the best bulbs are selected for seed, stored, and replanted in October. He employs raised-bed farming with specific fertiliser applications and insists on manual sowing and 3-4 rounds of weeding to ensure top quality. The crop requires relatively less water, needing irrigation only a few times during its growth cycle from October to mid-May.
Post the onion seed and table onion harvest in May, Saini grows paddy on all nine acres until October, after which the cycle begins anew. This year-round operation provides employment for 15–20 labourers for 8-9 months during peak seasons.
Legacy and Future Expansion
Saini's venture, now branded as "Shri Krishna Farming," is a family affair. His 25-year-old son, educated up to 10+2, actively supports the business and helps share their journey on social media. The success of the black onion seed has spurred further innovation. Saini is now diversifying into brown and pink onion varieties due to growing demand.
His reputation for quality has spread far beyond Haryana and Punjab. "Big companies from Nashik (Maharashtra), the hub of onion production, contact me for my seed quality," he reveals. With ambitious plans to lease more land, Ram Pal Saini's story is a powerful blueprint for transforming Indian agriculture through knowledge, innovation, and unwavering dedication.
