Preneeta Sharma
Karsog (Mandi), Himachal Pradesh
What started as an unexpected job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic has blossomed into a remarkable success story from the hills of Himachal Pradesh. In Somakothi village of Karsog subdivision, young farmer Balakrishna has turned just one bigha of land into a profitable strawberry enterprise, proving that determination and modern farming can transform adversity into opportunity.
After losing his job in a private company during the pandemic, Balakrishna returned to his native village with a resolve to create a new future. Instead of searching for another job, he chose commercial strawberry cultivation—an emerging high-value crop well-suited to the region’s climate. His bold decision has now become a model of rural entrepreneurship.
Today, Balakrishna’s farm produces premium-quality strawberries that are highly sought after in local markets. By transporting the harvest directly to buyers in his own vehicle, he has eliminated middlemen and secured better returns. His strawberries fetch between ₹300 and ₹500 per kilogram, generating an additional monthly income of ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 from just one bigha of land.
Building on this success, he has established a nursery with nearly 2 lakh strawberry plants. He plans to cultivate around 1 lakh plants on his own farm while supplying the remaining saplings to fellow farmers interested in strawberry cultivation, helping expand berry farming across the region.
Balakrishna’s vision goes far beyond strawberries. He is preparing to diversify into blueberries, apricots, plums and other high-value fruit crops, believing that scientific farming, crop diversification and direct market access are the keys to increasing farm income and creating sustainable livelihoods.
He credits his journey to hard work, innovation and the support available through government agriculture and horticulture schemes, which provide quality planting material, technical guidance, training and modern farming practices. These initiatives are inspiring many young people in Himachal Pradesh to embrace agriculture as a profitable business rather than a traditional occupation.
Balakrishna’s journey reflects the changing landscape of farming in Himachal Pradesh, where even small landholdings are becoming engines of prosperity through smart cultivation and entrepreneurship. His inspiring transformation from an unemployed youth to a successful entrepreneur is a powerful reminder that resilience, innovation and modern agriculture can turn challenges into lasting success.
