The spirit of entrepreneurship already thrives among young farmers in India’s villages—but too often, the lack of opportunity, access to credit, and timely guidance keeps their potential locked away. Yet, when given the right support, these farmers can shift from subsistence to sustainability, from migration to entrepreneurship.

This is the inspiring story of Mr. Laxman Singh Uike, a 35-year-old smallholder from Surangdeori village in Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh. With only 2.5 acres of rainfed ancestral land and a family of six to support, Laxman once practiced traditional monocropping of paddy and kodo millet. Post-harvest, like many in his region, he was forced to migrate for labor work to make ends meet.

In 2023, when the SAFBIN project was introduced in his village, Laxman’s life began to change. Elected as Vice President of the Jamuna Smallholder Farmers Group, he was soon introduced to climate-resilient and diversified farming practices. Moving beyond monoculture, he embraced a mixed cropping system—growing pigeon pea, black gram, sesame, and vegetables along with paddy. Despite limited irrigation, he cultivated winter crops for the first time, including wheat, lentils, and gram.

But the real turning point came through SAFBIN’s Integrated Farming System (IFS) approach, which encouraged farmers to pursue complementary livelihoods. With technical training and a ₹10,000 grant from SAFBIN, Laxman raised an additional ₹14,000 and took a bold step; he invested in a small piggery unit. Starting with three pigs, he built a shed and prepared for what seemed like an experiment.

The results surpassed his expectations. In two months, one pig delivered seven piglets, followed by another with five. In just three months, the unit expanded to 15 pigs, and soon, Laxman was selling piglets locally, earning ₹15,000 from five sales alone. Today, he owns 12 pigs worth an estimated ₹1.4 lakh.

This venture has not only added a steady income stream but also reduced Laxman’s dependence on unpredictable crop yields. What began as a small initiative is now growing into a breeding center, and Laxman is mentoring other farmers to take up low-investment, high-return enterprises like poultry, goat rearing, mushroom cultivation, and vegetable nurseries.

Beyond income, Laxman has become a change agent. With training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), he champions organic farming and sustainability. At Smallholder Farmers’ Collective (SHFC) meetings, he actively shares his knowledge, particularly encouraging rural youth to see agriculture not as a struggle but as a viable way of life.

So far, over 30 farmers in his village have followed his lead, adopting similar models of piggery, backyard poultry, and kitchen gardens using recycled greywater and compost.

“I never imagined farming could bring me this far,” Laxman says with pride. “SAFBIN gave me the right push at the right time. Today, I earn better, live with dignity, and help others do the same.”

Through the SAFBIN program, smallholders like Laxman are proving that rural prosperity is possible when communities have the right tools. From vulnerable farmers to village-level entrepreneurs, their transformation is rewriting the future of agriculture.