A Spectrum of Flavors
Ram Pratap Sharma, a progressive farmer from Siwah village in Panipat, Haryana, has gained widespread recognition for his groundbreaking approach to watermelon
cultivation. At 63 years old, Sharma has transformed his land into a showcase of exotic fruits, notably his 'rainbow watermelons'. This innovative farmer has been honored with the prestigious Krishi Rattan Award in 2019 for his pioneering work. His venture into full-time fruit and vegetable farming began in 2011, where he adopted modern agricultural practices like polyhouses, net protection, and drip irrigation, which were gaining traction locally. His produce is now a sought-after commodity, supplied to major cities including Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. He caters to industrialists and online businesses alike, often preparing 10-15 kg bundles for swift distribution. The strategic location of his farm near National Highway-44 ensures that his fresh produce reaches the Panipat mandi in a mere four minutes, guaranteeing customer satisfaction. Beyond his celebrated watermelons, Sharma cultivates over 20 types of vegetables seasonally, practicing intercropping techniques with crops like kakri, tori, and karela. He also diversifies with fruits such as guava and dragon fruit, showcasing a comprehensive and varied agricultural enterprise. This year, a dedicated 1.5 acres were allocated to his watermelon project, with the remaining land dedicated to crops like spinach, fenugreek, guava, peach, and pomegranate, demonstrating a balanced and diversified farming strategy.
The 'Rainbow' Phenomenon
Sharma's unique selling proposition lies in his five extraordinary watermelon varieties, which defy the conventional green exterior and red interior. These are not your average watermelons; they boast flesh in an astonishing array of colors, including red, orange, dark yellow, light yellow, and even a striking blue. To achieve this vibrant diversity, Sharma sources premium seeds from Thailand and Taiwan, a significant investment costing approximately ₹1 lakh per kilogram. Remarkably, only 300 grams of these specialized seeds are needed to cultivate 6,000 plants across an acre, highlighting the efficiency and value of his chosen varieties. The market has responded enthusiastically to these novel offerings, with all these colorful watermelons being sold at a competitive price of ₹50 per kilogram. Among his newer introductions are three distinct varieties: Low Munch, Orange Munch, and 24 Carat Gold. The Orange Munch variety features a standard green rind but surprises with a bright orange interior, while Yellow Munch mirrors this with a green rind and yellow flesh. The aptly named 24 Carat Gold distinguishes itself with a golden rind and uniformly yellow flesh throughout. These innovative types are readily available in the markets, continuing the ₹50 per kilogram price point, making exotic flavors accessible.
Cultivation and Returns
Ram Pratap Sharma's journey into cultivating these uniquely colored watermelons began with a successful trial of Taiwanese seeds back in 2019, a venture that proved to be a significant triumph. His meticulous approach to farming involves substantial investment; growing one acre of watermelons incurs an approximate cost of ₹2 lakh. However, this investment yields a substantial revenue, generating roughly ₹6 lakh per acre. After accounting for all cultivation expenses, Sharma is able to achieve a net profit of approximately ₹4 lakh per acre, a testament to the profitability of his specialized crops, as reported by Etv Bharat. Experts in the field have lauded Sharma's innovative spirit. Ranbir Singh, Haryana's Director General of Horticulture, describes Sharma as "hardworking, innovative and progressive," acknowledging his ability to achieve high incomes from relatively small landholdings through the strategic use of technology and advanced farming patterns. Singh has visited Sharma's farm on multiple occasions to observe his methods. Rakesh Kumar, Deputy Director at Gharaunda's Vegetable Centre of Excellence, points to the advantageous sandy loam soils of Panipat and the availability of subsidies, up to 85%, for essential farming tools like drip irrigation systems, as factors contributing to agricultural success in the region. Sharma himself offers valuable advice to fellow farmers, emphasizing that with diligent effort, it's entirely feasible to earn ₹2 lakh annually per acre from vegetables, and even more when incorporating fruit cultivation on the same land. His contributions to agriculture have also been recognized by the former Chief Minister of Haryana, who previously honored him.
