Assam farmer’s notable journey, from ₹6 a day to an ₹80 lakh farm

A single moment can change the direction of a life, and for Tileswar Handique, it was the sale of a bunch of bananas.

Today, the farmer from Assam’s Charaideo district manages a 40-bigha farm that generates an annual turnover of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh.

Handique’s journey began in poverty. Growing up in an 11-member family in Cholapathar village, he worked as a daily wager for just ₹6 a day.

His father worked as a Grade IV railway employee, but the family often struggled to afford even one meal. Determined to support his parents and siblings, Handique started working without informing his family.

In 1979, when he was just 15, an unexpected incident sparked his interest in farming. A stranger offered him ₹24 for a bunch of bananas, twice the prevailing market price.

That evening, Handique returned home with ₹36 earned after six days of labour. He began wondering why he should continue working for daily wages when farming could offer better returns.

The following year, he established a banana plantation. For the next two decades, he focused primarily on growing bananas. By 2000, he had saved enough to diversify his agricultural activities.

Handique gradually expanded into vegetables, mustard, betel nuts and fruit cultivation. He also ventured into fish farming, poultry and livestock rearing.

Today, his farm has six fisheries supporting seven local fish species, around 700 to 1,000 chickens and six Jersey cows. He also raises ducks, goats and pigs.

In addition, he cultivates paddy across 16 bighas. Rather than relying on chemical fertilisers and pesticides, he uses natural manure, including cow dung and poultry litter.

He credits scientific farming practices for his consistent harvests and strong demand.

His farm employs six workers throughout the year, with the workforce increasing to 15 during busy periods.

Buyers also collect produce directly from his farm, reducing the need to transport goods to markets. Handique estimates annual profits at ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh.

While many farmers in Upper Assam are turning to tea cultivation, Handique remains committed to farming. He takes pride in his identity as a farmer and believes there is always more to learn.

From earning a few rupees daily to building a diversified agricultural enterprise, his story highlights how observation, patience and practical knowledge can transform rural livelihoods.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image published on March 26, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1271367