In Issewal village, where most farmers cultivate wheat and paddy, one man has dared to be different by trying his hand at fruits — and that too exotic varieties.
Jaspreet Singh, once a practicing lawyer with degrees in BBA, MBA, LLB and LLM, chose to step away from the corridors of the High Court to nurture a passion that began on his terrace.
What started in 2013 as a stress-relieving activity has today blossomed into the nine-acre Kandhal Agro Farms, producing a wide range of exotic fruits. Singh is also engaged in exporting these fruits, helping him earn an annual income of Rs 2–3 crore.
Visitors will not find the usual fruit orchards here. Instead, there are rows of dragon fruit, passion fruit, longan, avocado, exotic bananas and a rainbow of berries.
“Name a fruit and you will find it here,” he says with quiet pride.
The star attraction remains Palora, a prized yellow dragon fruit once confined to Peru and Brazil, now grown in Ludhiana and sold at a fraction of its international price.
Singh’s journey has been marked by experimentation and persistence. Through cross-breeding, Kandhal Agro has developed nearly 325 varieties of dragon fruit in hues ranging from yellow and orange to green and black, which are now available in 14 countries.
Blueberries flourish year-round under hydroponic systems, with soil pH carefully maintained at 4.5.
“That balance is the most important part,” he explains, pointing to sensors and systems that keep conditions precise.
Exports have already reached Dubai and Europe, while domestic demand keeps him busy in Delhi, Bengaluru and Maharashtra.
Yet Singh does not rely solely on distant markets. He personally takes his produce to mandis in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala, and also supplies exotic fruits to nearly 1,000 households in Ludhiana.
Dragon fruit fetches Rs 120–150 per kg in the wholesale market and Rs 200–250 per kg at retail, while Palora commands Rs 1,200 locally against its global price of Rs 3,500.
His legal discipline, combined with MBA training and marketing strategies, has helped him build the business, but word of mouth remains his strongest ally.
“Social media helps, but nothing works better than people tasting and sharing,” he says.
For fellow farmers, Singh’s message is simple yet clear: “Don’t be afraid to experiment. The soil has immense potential beyond traditional crops. If you nurture it with passion and dedication, it will definitely reward you with abundance.”
