Key Highlights:
- Former Indian judo player Harvinder Singh turned to farming in Kurukshetra.
- Runs Noor Agro Farm, producing potato seeds across 200 acres.
- Developed 10 potato seed varieties suited for different regions.
- Works with French fries and chips makers, employing over 100 people.
Harvinder Singh from Shahjadpur village in Kurukshetra, Haryana, once represented India in judo. Today, he has built one of the country’s largest potato seed farms. His company, Noor Agro Farm, sends seeds to nearly every state in India. Through steady learning and determination, he turned farming into a business model that benefits both growers and the food industry.
From Sports to Soil
Harvinder Singh’s early life revolved around sports. He studied in a hostel, where he picked up judo and soon became a skilled player. In 1995, he was selected for the Indian Judo team and earned his black belt three years later. But life took a turn when his family moved abroad.
His grandfather asked him to return to the village and focus on farming instead.
That choice changed everything. Harvinder decided to use the same discipline from his sports life in agriculture.
Starting Out in Potatoes
Back in his village, Harvinder began with basic potato farming. But he often wondered where the seeds came from and how they were made. Since he found no clear answers from experts, he chose to experiment on his own.
In 2007, he set up Noor Agro Farm to produce potato seeds. At first, it was a small setup, but over time, his seeds gained strong reputation for quality. Farmers from many regions began ordering from him because his varieties gave better yields.
Creating Better Varieties
Harvinder has developed several potato types like Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Karan, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Uday and LR. Each variety is grown to match different soils and climates so that farmers get stable results. His practical approach helped him earn the trust of farmers across Gujarat, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and the southern states.
Expanding to 200 Acres
What started as a small project is now spread over 200 acres of farmland. The seeds grown here are known for being disease-free and high-yielding. Farmers across India, both big and small, rely on his supply. His steady focus on clean, reliable seed production has made Noor Agro Farm trusted name in the potato trade.
Working with the Food Industry
Harvinder’s farm doesn’t just supply farmers. He also works with two major French fries and chips companies. These companies place seed orders based on their specific product needs and he grows accordingly. Harvinder says seed farming often brings better profits than direct crop sales, as demand stays strong through the year.
His farm has also become a workplace for locals. According to his colleagues Ramesh Chand and Rakesh Chopra, more than 100 people are employed at the farm, including 22 permanent workers. The rest work seasonally. Both men and women are hired, giving villagers steady income without leaving home.
Recognition and Impact
Over the years, Harvinder Singh’s work has drawn national and international attention. He has received the “Krishi Ratna” award and other honors abroad. His journey from judo mats to farmlands shows how skill and discipline can create real progress in Indian agriculture.
Harvinder Singh’s story proves that modern farming doesn’t always need big machines or fancy technology, it needs curiosity, patience and consistent effort. From a national athlete to a leading farmer, he turned a personal choice into a model for rural success. Farmers now look up to him as someone who proved that farming, when done with purpose, can bring both respect and prosperity.
Source: ETV Bharat
Image Credit: ETV Bharat
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