Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Patiala Farmers Turn Adversity into Agro-Processing Success
Gurpreet Kaur and her husband Lakhwinder Singh were small farmers in Patiala with just 2.5 acres of land.
They used to struggle to make ends meet by selling vegetables in the market.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, they faced big losses because they couldn't sell their vegetables on time.
This made them think of new ideas.
Gurpreet had a passion for making traditional pickles and preserves.
She took training in food processing and started making pickles, chutneys, and other preserved foods from their own farm produce.
At first, it was hard to sell their products, but they found a way by offering small sample packs.
People loved their products, and soon, their business grew.
Today, they process nearly 200 tonnes of produce annually, have 10 employees, and sell their products across multiple states.
They even won a state-level award for their work.
Their hard work and innovation have not only brought them financial stability but also secured a better future for their children.
Gurpreet Kaur and Lakhwinder Singh transformed their 2.5-acre farm into a successful agro-processing enterprise in six years.
They faced severe losses during the Covid-19 lockdown, which inspired them to explore food processing.
Gurpreet took training at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Patiala to learn food processing techniques.
They started small by processing 10–15 kg of produce at home and gradually scaled up to processing nearly 200 tonnes annually.
Their product range includes 100+ items, such as pickles, chutneys, murabbas, juices, jams, vinegars, candies, and traditional sweets.
- Who
- Gurpreet Kaur and Lakhwinder Singh, marginal farmers from Patiala
- What
- Transformed their 2.5-acre farm into a successful agro-processing enterprise
- When
- Over the course of six years, with significant growth during and after the Covid-19 lockdown
- Where
- Kalyan village, Patiala district, Punjab, India
- Why
- To add value to their farm produce and secure a better future for their family
- Names
- Gurpreet Kaur and Lakhwinder Singh
- Location
- Kalyan village, Patiala district
- Land Size
- 2.5 acres
- Annual Processing Volume
- 200 tonnes
- Product Range
- 100+ items including pickles, chutneys, murabbas, juices, jams, vinegars, candies, and sweets
- Employees
- 10 permanent employees, 9 of whom are women
- Annual Turnover
- Over a couple of crores
- Profit Margin
- 15–20%