Retired Teacher Jivan Singh Rana Becomes Inspiration Through Dragon Fruit Success in Kangra
2 min read
Kangra, Dec 21
Kangra district’s Jivan Singh Rana, a retired school lecturer from Ghar Jarot village in Nagrota Surian, has rewritten the meaning of post-retirement life through his remarkable success in natural farming and dragon fruit cultivation.
Instead of settling down to a quiet routine, Rana explored new agricultural possibilities — a journey that began in September 2020 with a visit to a dragon fruit farm in Punjab. Supported by the horticulture department and assisted by his civil engineer son Ashish Rana and wife Kunta Rana, he planted 450 dragon fruit plants over 6 kanal land, and results appeared quickly.
Within two seasons, Rana earned around ₹1.25 lakh, and this year alone has sold 26 quintals of dragon fruit at ₹250–300/kg, earning ₹7 lakh. Today, his farm has expanded to 4,500+ plants across 1,125 poles — making him a recognised grower and mentor to hundreds of farmers.
Growing the fruit using chemical-free natural farming, Rana has also cultivated strawberries, maize, wheat, red basmati rice, pulses, ginger, turmeric and vegetables, along with guava, papaya, jamun, amla and other fruit trees. Multiple government schemes supported his growth — including subsidies for natural farming inputs, irrigation systems, borewell, polyhouse, and plant support systems.
His dragon fruit has now reached markets beyond Himachal Pradesh, and orders have even come from England after the produce was showcased at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. Rana attributes his success to disciplined work, innovation, and strong departmental support.
Deputy Director Horticulture Alakh Pathania said dragon fruit farming is expanding steadily in Kangra, with 3 hectares already under cultivation across Nagrota Surian, Nurpur, Dehra and Rait. Farmers receive up to ₹3.37 lakh/hectare subsidy, driving more interest in this profitable, climate-suitable crop.
Rana’s journey proves that retirement is not an end but a beginning — and that natural farming can unlock financial freedom, self-reliance, and health without depending on chemicals. Today, he stands as a symbol of hope, innovation, and rural transformation.
