Rs 1.5 lakh in 23 days: ITI pass-out says no to job, earns through organic farming
Akhilesh Maurya, an ITI-trained graduate from Mau, turned to organic cucumber farming after returning home. His reported earnings and low cultivation costs have brought focus to crop diversification and village-based livelihoods.
Rs 1.5 lakh in just 23 days, you read it correct. An ITI pass-out who chose not to do a job but return home and start farming. Within a few months, he was able to harvest crops that brought him more income than he could possibly earn through a regular job. This is the story of Akhilesh Maurya, a resident of Mau, Uttar Pradesh, whose life changed after returning home.
Maurya decided to focus on organic farming with the help of a horticulture officer, who suggested he take up organic cultivation and opt for crops beyond conventional choices. Akhilesh is not only an ITI graduate but also pursued graduation before trying his hand at organic farming.
What began as an alternative to employment has now turned into a source of income for the young farmer from Uttar Pradesh.
By cultivating organic cucumbers on one acre of land, Maurya claims to have earned nearly Rs 1.5 lakh in 23 days.
According to Akhilesh, as he told local media, he is cultivating organic cucumbers with assistance from the horticulture department. While market prices for cucumbers were low initially, harvesting activity has now increased and around seven to eight labourers are engaged in the process daily.
FROM STUDIES TO FARMING: WHY AKHILESH RETURNED HOME
Akhilesh Maurya said his interest in farming came from observing his father. Instead of pursuing a conventional job after completing his education, he chose to return to his village and experiment with agriculture.
He currently cultivates cucumber varieties including Syngenta, Clause’s Arno and Delhi’s SIR. The saplings were planted in March using the raised-bed farming method along with a drip irrigation system.
Harvesting reportedly began in early May.
HOW MUCH CUCUMBER IS AKHILESH PRODUCING?
Maurya said he is cultivating cucumbers on one acre of land and harvesting around 7 to 8 quintals daily.
He further stated that since May 1, around 10 tonnes of cucumbers have already been harvested from the farm. The rise in market prices has also contributed to his earnings.
Initially, cucumbers were sold at Rs 14 to 15 per kilogram. However, he claims that the current market rate has crossed Rs 20 per kilogram. Rs 30,000 investment, Rs 1.5 lakh earnings in 23 days
According to Akhilesh, the total investment on the one-acre plot was around 30,000. This included expenses related to drip irrigation installation and preparation of raised beds.
Within 23 days of harvesting, he said he had generated nearly Rs 1.5 lakh in returns.
Maurya believes cucumber farming requires comparatively lower investment while offering higher returns, particularly when irrigation systems and crop selection are planned properly.
Cases such as Maurya’s reflect a growing trend where educated youth are exploring agriculture, horticulture and organic farming as income sources.
Departments promoting crop diversification and drip irrigation techniques have increasingly encouraged farmers to shift towards vegetables and other high-return crops.
For Akhilesh Maurya, the decision to return home appears to have changed his source of livelihood, turning one acre of land into an income-generating venture.