North Gujarat’s Dolpur Kampa, a village of just 11 houses, has achieved what seasoned cultivators strive for: Asia’s highest potato yield per acre. But the secret behind this rural powerhouse is not just in its soil or seeds — it is in the concentration of passionate agricultural scientists who call it home.
This small hamlet in Dhansura taluka of Aravalli district has seven male agronomists and one female agronomist (as a daughter-in-law), with two more residents currently pursuing agricultural studies. Their specialisations span microbiology, plant pathology, entomology, genetics and horticulture — expertise that has transformed 700 acres of land under cultivation into a model of scientific farming. These degrees come from prestigious institutions such as Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University and Navsari Agricultural University.
The village’s story began nine decades ago when two Patel families — the Limbanis and Pokars — migrated from Kutch. Today, their descendants produce an extraordinary 13,500 metric tonnes of potatoes annually.
“Our farmers have achieved 22-tonne-per -acre potato yield,” says Umang Pokar, who holds an MSc in agriculture (genetics and plant breeding) and now manages contract farming for Rajkot-based snacks maker Balaji, spearheading its contract farming division for the entire western India region. This potato yield is nearly double the standard output of 12-15 tonnes per acre.
The commitment to scientific farming runs deep in Dolpur Kampa’s families. Consider Harsh Patel and his wife Purvi — he earned his master’s degree in agricultural microbiology from AAU in 2019, while she holds an MSc in agriculture (plant pathology) and earned nine gold medals in her BSc agriculture studies before their marriage.
Or take Bhavesh Limbani, for instance, who became the first to earn an MSc degree with a gold medal in 1998 and later received the ‘Best Farmer’ award from then-chief minister Narendra Modi in 2005.
Just last month, Harsh Patel was conferred the best progressive farmer award by the department of horticulture, Gujarat govt, in recognition of his work in potato farming. The village earned its nickname ‘Mini Israel’ from Modi for good reason. During a severe water crisis in the early 2000s, Dolpur Kampa’s residents became pioneers in adopting drip irrigation.
“Our elders realised that drip irrigation was the only way forward,” recalls Harsh, adding, “My father and uncle went to Israel, undertook training and implemented it here, bearing the entire cost.”
Though farmers from adjacent villages initially scoffed at the expense, they later followed suit, albeit with subsidies from the govt that were not available to Dolpur Kampa’s early adopters. The residential area of this village spans approximately three acres, all surrounded by lush green farms.
The village’s agricultural practices extend beyond potatoes. When potatoes aren’t being grown, the farmers cultivate groundnut on 50% of their total land area, while the remainder is dedicated to green manuring with sunn hemp — a practice that improves soil structure, reduces erosion and conserves water. Their groundnut production reaches 600 metric tonnes per annum.
The farmers’ scientific approach and commitment to sustainability have turned this small settlement into one of the most productive farming regions in the country.
From German machines to smart farming
By working as one team and timing every move, these 11 farming families turned their fields into goldmines
In 2011, when most Indian farmers were still debating the merits of mechanisation, the families of Dolpur Kampa pooled together Rs 50 lakh to import a potato sowing and harvesting machine from Germany’s Grimme. It was a bold move that would reshape farming practices across the region.
“We were the first in India to import this machinery,” says Harsh Patel. But the villagers didn’t stop at merely buying technology — they helped adapt it. Their feedback to Grimme led to modifications specifically for Indian conditions, ultimately resulting in a joint venture between Grimme and Shaktiman that produced more affordable machines at half the original price.
This blend of practical farming and scientific knowledge defines the new generation of Dolpur Kampa. Dr Utsav Patel, who earned his PhD in horticulture in 2019, says: “While our classmates were studying to secure jobs, we were learning real-time farm applications to increase productivity and protect our crops.” Despite qualifying for govt jobs, these educated farmers chose to return to their fields.
With nine academic gold medals and a master’s degree in plant pathology, Purvi Patel (left) drives innovation at her farm
The village operates with remarkable coordination. Teamwork suits them best, the agronomists say. When it is time to spray pesticides, all farmers work simultaneously across their collective 700 acres. This synchronised approach, which they call “blanket spraying”, has improved productivity by 5%. The same coordination applies to sowing, water management and harvesting.
Their scientific background influences every decision they take. Unlike farmers from the neighbouring villages who harvest three crops annually from their fields, Dolpur Kampa’s farmers deliberately limit themselves to two.
During the off-season, they grow sunn hemp for green manuring, enriching their soil with organic matter. The summer months are reserved for soil sterilisation, a practice that keeps their crops pest and disease-free throughout the year.
“Working as a team has additional benefits,” notes Umang, explaining how bulk ordering gives them leverage with suppliers, even securing home delivery of farming essentials.
This combination of traditional farming wisdom, modern education and collective action has turned Dolpur Kampa into a model agricultural community that others seek to emulate.
The village stands as proof that when farmers combine generations of agricultural knowledge with modern education and technology, the results can be transformative.
In Dolpur Kampa, they are not just growing crops; they are cultivating a new generation of educated farmers who will reshape Indian agriculture.
Harvest of hope: Kutch makes its potato debut
Better rainfall helps farmers grow special potato varieties for units making French fries and chips
Nimesh.Khakhariya@timesofindia.com
While North Gujarat leads in potato cultivation, Kutch has emerged as the region’s newest hub for the crop. Local farmers venturing into potato farming are seeing consistent success.
According to the state horticulture department records, Kutch saw its first potato cultivation in 2022-23. The following year, farmers cultivated four hectares, yielding 112 metric tonnes (MT), and the area has expanded further this year. Farmers are focusing on varieties suitable for units that make French fries and chips.
Explaining this rapid growth, M S Parsaniya, deputy director of horticulture in Kutch, said, “The climate in Kutch is suitable for potato production, but farmers were not cultivating potato due to the fear of crop failure. For the last two years, farmers have been experimenting with potato cultivars meant for the processing industry and are getting good results.”
Processing companies have shown interest in collaborating with Kutch farmers to grow specific potato varieties.
Ishwar Patel, a farmer from Rampar Roha village of Nakhatrana taluka in Kutch, has been growing potatoes for two years
Ishwar Patel, a farmer from Rampar Roha village of Nakhatrana taluka, has been growing potatoes for two years on eight acres. He says, “Since potato farming is new to me, I need to take extra care to protect the crop from diseases. The crop needs drip irrigation for 60 days and can thrive in water with total dissolved solids (TDS) up to 1,100 parts per million (ppm).”
Recent changes in rainfall patterns have raised the water table in Kutch, with groundwater now accessible at 500 feet, allowing for irrigation. “I get a yield of about 13 MT an acre, which is the same as what farmers in Deesa and Palanpur get with this variety,” Patel added.
Given its success and potential to boost farmers’ incomes, the horticulture department plans to expand potato cultivation. The crop’s cycle runs from Nov to Feb. Last year, the region cultivated 1.34 lakh hectares, yielding 41 lakh MT, with Banaskantha district alone contributing 15.62 lakh MT.
