After spending over two decades in vibrant cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi, Jitender Mann couldn’t ignore the growing health concerns around him.
Rising rates of thyroid disorders and high blood pressure seemed to affect both the young and the elderly. Jitender himself wasn’t immune to these issues. “I was a workaholic during my early 20’s, often being the last one to leave office,” he says.
“By my early 40s, I was suffering from high BP and extreme joint pains,” he says. This wake-up call made him reassess his life. Wanting to escape the pressures of city living, he and his wife Sarla moved back to their village in Haryana to embrace farming.
They established an organic moringa farm, carefully investing in technology to ensure that the nutritional value of leaves was preserved throughout the processing. Their high-quality moringa powder soon gained popularity, reaching customers in cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The demand is already 2X of the production, with the couple earning Rs 3.5 lakh per month.
Starting with just two acres of land, they gradually expanded to four, focusing on maintaining the highest quality. “After plucking stems with leaves, we wash them twice and bundle seven to nine stems together so that each leaf is separated for easier drying,” Sarla explains.
The drying process is equally meticulous, with leaves being dried under large fans and in a controlled greenhouse setup, where the temperature is 8-10 degrees hotter than outside. After 12 hours, the leaves are removed from the stems, ground into a coarse powder, and packaged carefully.
Stressing their commitment to sustainable farming, Sarla says, “We do not till the soil and use weeds and other leaves as mulch. We avoid harmful chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and weedicides, ensuring the soil remains fertile and aerated.”
The shift from corporate life to farming has been life-changing for Jitender. “Before sending the powder for packaging, we keep a few jars aside for ourselves. Personally, daily consumption of moringa has replaced my need for conventional medications. I no longer have any health issues. My blood pressure now remains between 120 and 130, and I can do five chin-ups at once,” he says.
Looking back on their journey, he reflects, “Moving to my village was one of the best decisions we ever made. Here, we are working hard and living a healthy life, far away from pollution and enjoying a great life.”
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Edited by Megha Chowdhury
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