S. Gurdial Singh Saini, a resident of village Sallopur, district Gurdaspur is an enterprising and industrious farmer, who has taken a lead in the adoption of crop diversification and subsidiary occupations. He has proved his credentials and became an icon for those farmers who are getting stress due to unprofitable farming. He got linked with PAU in 1999-2000 and participated in various trainings relevant to agriculture and allied practices which were organized by KVK, Gurdaspur. Presently, he is cultivating turmeric, processing it and marketing his products by himself in the market. He is not dependent on the third person to sell his produce. He chose a different path from the rest of the farmer to make his own identity in the society. He had made a self help group named ’Green Gold SHG’ and FPO named ’Sallopur Foods FPO’ to include local farmers and youth for turmeric processing, value addition to pulses and seasonal fruits like preparation of pickles and chutneys. Besides this, he is also successful beekeeper having 200 bee hives. He is successfully using his machinery via custom hiring centre. Besides this, he is providing employment to 50 rural youths which include machine operators, mechanics and daily wagers. He is also earning two times more profit by growing turmeric crop as seed. He also engaged himself in various extension programmes as a member of various clubs, committees, boards, societies and Scientific Advisory Committee of the KVK, etc. S. Gurdial Singh has been conferred with many awards for his achievements in crop diversification, processing, packaging, marketing, entrepreneurship, bee keeping and crop residue management. Many eminent personalities and scientists have visited his farm and praised his dedicated effort.
