Dr Pankaj Kumar, 40, in Ratnana village in Punjab’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (popularly known as Nawanshahr) district, has redefined sustainable farming by cultivating Moringa oleifera, also known as the drumstick, sahajan or miracle tree, on two acres. hired. Pankaj, who holds masters in yoga and naturopathy, has not only moved away from the state’s traditional wheat-paddy cycle but has also elevated Punjab’s presence in the global market.
Through his company Vela Cell India, Pankaj exports premium moringa leaf powder worth Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore annually to Germany. This was made possible by a partnership with Harald Seibel, a German businessman who runs the Vela Cell UG company in Germany.
Pankaj started independent moringa farming in 2022 by renting 8.5 acres of land at Rs 6 lakh per annum. Inspired by his relationship with Harald and his previous partners, Pankaj, who works as a yoga instructor and naturopath at Kirpal Sagar Charitable Institute in Nayashahr, where Harald used to visit regularly, decided to take up farming. His familiarity with Harald’s work in sourcing moringa from the region prompted him to revive the operation.
With dedication and innovation, Pankaj now processes moringa leaves into high quality green moringa powder, showcasing the potential of sustainable and organic farming in Punjab on a global platform.
Pankaj emphasizes the meticulous process involved in producing and exporting organic moringa powder. The crop is grown under strict organic conditions, and is certified under the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) and European Union (EU) standards. Each export batch undergoes rigorous tests at government-approved laboratories to ensure quality and compliance. To preserve its nutritional value, the powder is vacuum-packed in 2 kg silver pouches.
Pankaj cultivates a high-density variety of Moringa, which is specially designed to grow to a height of 3-4 feet, allowing only the leaves to be harvested. “We planted fresh moringa plants last August, and the leaves are harvested 3-4 times a year,” he explained. Once planted, Moringa trees, which grow fast, require very little water for irrigation and need to be replaced after 5-6 years. He said that he will prepare the seeds and plants for cultivation by himself while ensuring the quality of the products. “Unlike tall moringa trees where the drumsticks are harvested, we only focus on leaf production,” he added.
Describing the processing method, Pankaj highlighted the precision required to maintain the nutritional integrity of the leaves. Freshly picked leaves are washed in salt water within 30 minutes of harvest, as delay can result in loss of nutrients. They are then dried at a controlled temperature of 25-45°C to retain their nutritional value before being processed into powder at a facility near the farm. “Every step from cultivation to packaging is carried out with utmost care to meet international standards,” he stressed.
Sharing insights about moringa production, Pankaj said that an acre of moringa plantation produces 500-700 kg of powder annually, which costs Rs 10,000 to 12,000 per kg. It generates revenue of Rs 50 to 70 lakhs per acre. “If a farmer follows all the necessary parameters to produce high-quality moringa powder, they can easily earn Rs 25-30 lakh per acre after expenses.”
“Moringa powder is a natural immunity booster. It contains calcium, omega 3, 6, 9, magnesium and 103 micronutrients. It treats malnutrition and prevents many deadly diseases, hence its high global demand,” said Pankaj.
speaking with The Indian ExpressHarald, currently in Nawanshahr, praised the quality of moringa grown in Punjab. “I have been sourcing Moringa powder from Punjab since 2018, initially through other partners. Now I am working together with Pankaj,’ he said.
Harald said a team of experts and scientists has been brought from Germany to inspect the moringa cultivation and processing units.
“Recently, a team of scientists and pharmacists from Germany visited the farm. After thorough testing and meeting all standards, we import the powder to Germany, where the demand is substantial,” he added.
Pankaj uses organic methods for pest control, including garlic and chilli paste, and relies on cow dung as fertiliser. To prevent the smoke and ash from affecting their crops, the farm owners manage the straw in the nearby paddy fields so that they do not set fire to the paddy after harvesting. He also uses it as a mulch on his farm to maintain soil moisture and control weeds.
Apart from moringa, Pankaj cultivates other medicinal plants like ashwagandha, brahmi – also known as a brain power booster – and gotu kola on the rest of the land. He also grows unique varieties of wheat like black wheat, Khapli wheat and Sona Moti wheat, which fetch him premium prices. He sells wheat at Rs 8,000 per quintal, which is much higher than the government’s MSP of Rs 2,400. He produces 80 kg of Brahmi and 50 kg of Ashwagandha powder annually, the price of which is between 13 thousand and 15 thousand rupees respectively. In addition, he cultivates black turmeric (used for medicine), onion and mustard.
Pankaj’s farm includes a Rs 20 lakh processing unit and employs both permanent and seasonal workers for leaf picking and processing. With the help of his father Raj Kumar, Pankaj plans to expand moringa cultivation and medicinal cultivation. Originally from Alwar in Rajasthan, the family migrated to Punjab several years ago.
“This is just the beginning. There is a lot of demand for organic and medicinal products, I aim to gradually increase cultivation,’ said Pankaj.
“My goal is not only to highlight the benefits of sustainable farming, but also to promote your health not only with nature, but also to show how innovation and dedication in agriculture can thrive in the global market,” emphasized Pankaj.