Revival of Tradition: Harshvardhan Tyagi's Initiative to Strengthen Farmers via Organic Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh
**Harshvardhan Tyagi's Aarambh Sheel Kisan FPO: Empowering Sustainable Organic Farming in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh**
Harshvardhan Tyagi, a management graduate with a passion for agriculture, has revolutionised sustainable organic farming in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. His organisation, Aarambh Sheel Kisan FPO (Farmer Producer Organization), champions a self-sustaining agri model that integrates farming, post-harvest processing, and direct-to-consumer marketing.
### Sustainable Organic Farming Practices
Tyagi's mission revolves around implementing organic farming practices that improve soil health and enhance biodiversity. Key strategies include crop rotation, reduced chemical usage, and organic farming.
### FPO Model for Empowerment
The Aarambh Sheel Kisan FPO adopts a cooperative model designed to empower small farmers by eliminating middlemen, adding value to their produce through processing and packaging, and creating rural employment opportunities.
### Direct-to-Consumer Marketing
Tyagi's FPO sells products under its own brand, bypassing intermediaries and reaching consumers directly. This approach allows farmers to retain more value from their produce and provides consumers with fresh, organic products.
### Recognition and Awards
Tyagi's contributions have been acknowledged with several awards, including the Outstanding FPO Award from the Honourable Agriculture Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Recognition Award at the XXXI Annual Zonal Workshop of the KVKs of Uttar Pradesh, Excellence in Farmer Producer Organisation Management from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Agriculture & Technology University, Meerut, and a recent award for his outstanding contribution to farmer education in organic farming from the Honourable Union Education Minister of India.
In 2022, Tyagi established the Aarambh Sheel Kisan Utpadak Sahakari Samiti, an FPO that focuses on processing, branding, packaging, and direct marketing. He also founded a farm tourism initiative, allowing consumers to visit, understand organic farming, and connect directly with the farmers who grow their food.
Tyagi's farm grows a variety of crops such as basmati rice (PB-1121 and 1509), turmeric, mustard, pulses (moong, urad, masoor), and seasonal green vegetables. As a GFBN member, he shares his model with other farmers, especially those interested in forming FPOs, direct-to-consumer marketing, and chemical-free food production.
Tyagi actively supports other farmers in adopting organic methods and improving soil health through crop rotation and reduced chemical usage. In 2019, he started natural and organic farming on his 1.5 hectare ancestral land in Uttar Pradesh. Born and raised in Bhatisana village, Hapur district, Tyagi continues to inspire thousands of farmers to dream bigger, farm better, and market smarter through his leadership in Aarambh Sheel FPO and his role in GFBN.
On 6th July 2025, Tyagi was awarded by the Honourable Union Education Minister of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji, for his contribution to farmer education in organic and natural farming in Hapur district. Looking ahead, Tyagi plans to scale the FPO's operations, introduce e-commerce solutions for direct farm-to-home delivery, and expand the product range to include herbal products and cold-pressed oils.
[1] Source: https://www.indiaedunews.net/news/education/honourable-union-education-minister-shri-dharmendra-pradhan-ji-awards-harshvardhan-tyagi-for-his-contribution-to-farmer-education-in-organic-and-natural-farming-in-hapur-district-1664260249
Harshvardhan Tyagi's Aarambh Sheel Kisan FPO not only focuses on organic farming practices, but also extends to home-and-garden techniques that promote sustainable living, with his farm growing a variety of organic crops and a subsequent farm tourism initiative for consumer education. The FPO's direct-to-consumer marketing model aligns with a lifestyle that values fresh, chemical-free food and supports small farmers in their pursuit of sustainable, self-sustaining agriculture.
