After Her Husband’s Cancer Diagnosis, This Himachal Woman Built a ₹1 Crore Chemical-Free Farming Venture
In 2012, life drastically changed for Reeva and her husband, Rajeev Sood, when he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. The revelation was a harsh awakening for the couple.
“This revelation made us pause and reflect on our lives. We began dedicating more time to family meals and togetherness. I was also trying to understand the root of Rajeev’s illness,” says Reeva.
“Once, I asked him, ‘You are a doctor, so how did this happen to you? What could we have done wrong?’ His answer was simple, and it struck a chord with me: food,” he recalls.
This simple yet profound exchange highlighted the potential role that their diet, filled with chemically treated vegetables and fruits, might have played in his health condition.
“It was a wake-up call that urged me to reassess our lifestyle and dietary habits. I wanted to explore ways to lead a healthier lifestyle,” she says.
Reeva chose dragon fruit for its suitability to the rocky, arid terrain of her ancestral land and its minimal water needs.
Giving life a second chance: the farming chapter
Despite her roots in Himachal Pradesh, Reeva’s life had largely unfolded in Delhi due to the educational and occupational needs of her family. Yet, the diagnosis stirred a longing to return to her ancestral land in the Una district with dreams of cultivating healthier living.
Her journey into agriculture started with a focus on transforming her barren ancestral land. She chose to cultivate dragon fruit. “It is a cactus variety and is known for thriving in rocky terrain and requiring minimal water. It seemed perfect for the arid, hilly terrain of my village. Moreover, it was naturally protected from local wildlife like monkeys and nilgai (a wild animal) due to its thorny branches,” she adds.
Reeva first stumbled upon the exotic dragon fruit during her travels to Thailand and Taiwan. “Additionally, dragon fruits seemed a good choice for their numerous health problems, including antioxidant and anti-cancerous properties,” she says.
In 2017, Reeva took a bold step by planting 2,000 dragon fruit saplings across five acres of barren land in her village.
Selling raw dragon fruits at ₹200 per kg locally, Reeva extended her venture to processed products like natural juices.
By utilising local practices like vermicomposting, and employing natural fertilisers including buttermilk and jeevamrut (liquid fertiliser made using cow dung and urine), she managed not only to cultivate the land but to flourish it.
The landscape of the farm transformed over the years, with dragon fruit plants dotting the hilly vista. The once barren plot began to breathe new life.
“I also planted intercropped medicinal herbs such as ashwagandha and basil between five-foot gaps I had maintained among dragon fruit trees,” she adds.
Over the years, Reeva expanded the cultivation on 70 acres of farmland with 30,000 trees.
Lessons learned, lives changed
Reeva’s ambition didn’t just stop at farming. Recognising the business potential, she ventured into processing the dragon fruits for higher revenue. Selling raw dragon fruits at ₹200 per kg locally, she extended her venture to processed products like natural juices.
Reeva’s venture extends beyond farming: processing dragon fruits for higher revenue.
With this, she not only utilised extra produce from her farm but also that of 300 rural women from states like Himachal, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. As part of her Him2Hum, a Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO), these women collaborate with Reeva to cultivate, process, and commercialise dragon fruits and other herbs, including ashwagandha and moringa. The initiative not only improved their income but also their agricultural knowledge.
Mamta Rathee, who hails from Haryana, has been a dedicated member of Reeva’s FPO for more than 1.5 years. “I operate my own mill to process wheat and moringa crops into nutritious powders, which I supply to Reeva ma’am. Through these efforts, I am now able to earn an additional ₹10,000 per month.”
“As a villager, I initially lacked marketing insights, but I have learned about processed products that significantly enhance income. We aim for self-awareness and independence in our community and strive to avoid reliance on anyone else for income,” she adds.
Moreover, Reeva takes immense pride in empowering rural women through her work, finding joy in seeing their growth and the impact the farm has on their lives.
The project under Reeva’s FPO, Him2Hum, boosts the incomes and agricultural skills of these women.
Meanwhile, her venture yields her an impressive annual revenue of ₹1 crore. Reeva aims to carve a niche in the global market for dragon fruits under her brand ‘Agriva Naturally’ by next year.
Reeva finds profound happiness and satisfaction in her journey as an organic farmer and rural entrepreneur. Spending most of her time on the farm, Reeva says, helps her navigate the hardships of life. “I keep myself engaged with the farm activities. It brings me a sense of purpose and contentment,” she adds.
Her day-to-day activities, like walking around the farm and tending to the plants, contribute to maintaining her physical and mental well-being. Reeva mentions that at the age of 67, she feels as energetic as someone in their 40s.
“I switched the comforts and luxuries of Delhi’s city life to the demanding routines of farming in the hills of Himachal, but I have never regretted this decision. My children are settled now and engaged in their lives, but I never feel alone or isolated. I found companionship in nature and I cherish it,” she adds.
All images courtesy: Agriva Naturally.
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