Farming had always been the primary source of income for Hemraj, who lives with his wife and two sons. His two daughters are married and live separately. Despite his best efforts, the challenges were growing: declining soil health, rising input costs, poor livestock yield, and unpredictable weather. Cultivating soybean and wheat seasonally, Hemraj was spending ₹8,000–₹10,000 per season on fertilizers and pesticides, only to earn ₹15,000–₹18,000 in return. His income from dairy was also limited, with his cows producing just 6–8 liters of milk daily due to poor nutrition and low-yield breeds.

In 2024, things began to change when Hemraj joined Caritas India’s SAFBIN (Smallholder Adaptive Farming and Biodiversity Network) programme, which aimed to promote sustainable, climate-resilient farming systems. Hemraj participated in training sessions that introduced him to organic inputs, integrated farming, improved livestock management, and water-efficient practices.

One of the most transformative interventions was improving livestock breeds. With support from the SAFBIN team and the local Animal Husbandry Department, Hemraj inseminated two cows with Gir and Sahiwal semen, renowned Indian dairy breeds. By May 2025, both cows delivered healthy calves. These crossbreeds are expected to help improve the genetic potential of his livestock over time.

To ensure better animal nutrition, Hemraj cultivated Napier grass and installed Azolla tanks—natural, protein-rich fodder supplements. As a result, his milk yield increased dramatically to 32–34 liters per day. With milk selling at ₹45 per liter, he now earns approximately ₹1,400–₹1,530 daily, bringing in ₹42,000–₹46,000 per month from dairy alone.

Alongside livestock, Hemraj embraced organic farming. With two vermicompost units on his farm, he now produces around 700 kg of compost every two months. He established a Rabi trial plot using organic inputs like Jeevamrut and Beejamrut to grow wheat, lentils, mustard, and coriander. On the rest of his land, he began cultivating vegetables like tomato, brinjal, and peas, earning an additional ₹2 lakh in seasonal income.

His holistic approach, integrating crops, livestock, and sustainable practices, improved his income by nearly 60%, but also turned him into a lead farmer in the village. Inspired by his results, six farmers have initiated livestock breed upgradation, and seventeen others have adopted organic practices.

Hemraj’s transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Six farmers have followed his lead in breed improvement, and 17 others have adopted organic practices after learning from his demonstration plots.

Today, Hemraj is a change leader in Khiriya village. His journey shows that even farmers with the smallest holdings can rewrite their future with the proper support.