In the green fields of Assam’s Chirang district, a remarkable story of determination and transformation unfolds. Farmers all around India now look up to Sarbeswar Basumatary, who was formerly a daily wage worker. His journey from adversity to receiving the esteemed Padma Shri in 2024 demonstrates the transformative power of perseverance, ingenuity, and a passion to serve others.
Humble Beginnings Despite Hardships
Sarbeswar was born in Panbari village into a family of eight siblings, and his early years were difficult and struggling. His parents were hard workers who worked on building projects and in the homes of landowners, and they were barely able to support themselves. Their main source of food was the forest, which provided them with wild potatoes and other delicacies.
Sarbeswar remembers, “We grew up eating khichdi made from rice begged by wealthier villagers.” He attended night school despite the difficult circumstances because he was determined to learn, but he had to leave after class five.
By the age of 15, Sarbeswar had to work at a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet, such as caring for chickens at a forest guard’s home and making between Rs. 2 and Rs. 4 per day in Meghalaya’s coal mines. His small income was insufficient to support his family, let alone pay his bills.
A Promise to Himself
Sarbeswar had a dream despite his hardships: to get respect and improve his family’s lot in life. “I vowed to work hard to gain respect even though I knew I would never be a wealthy landowner,” he says. This pledge served as his compass.
As tensions in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam increased in the early 1980s, Sarbeswar and others started claiming forest land for farming. After renting a 12-acre plot, he began farming using conventional techniques. However, the undertaking was challenging due to the lack of resources and the poor terrain. In 1995, he finally bought his own land after learning from his experiences.
The Turning Point
Sarbeswar’s life took a different turn in 1998 after he happened to visit the agriculture department. He started observing closely with agricultural specialists and started opting for advanced farming techniques like integrated farming and intercropping. He grew pineapples, bananas, turmeric, areca nuts, and other crops after realizing the drawbacks of monoculture.
“The secret to success was intercropping,” says Sarbeswar. “It guaranteed a consistent income and enabled us to harvest several crops throughout the year.”
Venturing into Integrated Farming
The use of integrated farming techniques furthered Sarbeswar’s agricultural development. By 2003–04, he expanded his farm to include sericulture, pig farming, and fishing. To make the most use of the area, he planted crops like oranges and turmeric around the five fish ponds he built, each of which produced substantial revenues.
Sarbeswar turned his once-barren area into a flourishing 9-acre farm with 15–16 acres of leased land added via careful planning and experimenting. Not only has it increased his income, but also his creative approaches motivated others in his neighborhood.
Empowering the Next Generation
Among the people who have profited from Sarbeswar’s leadership is his nephew, Purno Boro. Today, Purno oversees a 16-acre farm where he experiments with crops like king chilli and cocoa and practices intercropping. “My family’s financial stability has greatly benefited from having someone like Sarbeswar to mentor me,” Purno says.
Sarbeswar started giving his time to train other farmers and also maintains a nursery with 70,000–75,000 plants. Understanding the value of education, he stressed upon and taught youth to choose agriculture as a respectable and feasible career path.
Recognition and Legacy
During 2022–2023, Sarbeswar received the Assam Gaurav Award in appreciation of his achievements. His reputation as a pioneer in agriculture was solidified in 2024 when he received the Padma Shri.
Sarbeswar maintains his modesty despite these honors. “I feel genuinely fulfilled when I help others improve their lives through better farming techniques,” he adds proudly, adding that he has garnered respect and admiration.
A Futuristic Vision
The tale of Sarbeswar serves everyone of us as a reminder that agriculture can change lives. His unique approaches, dedication, and commitment to community development have set a standard for farmers all over India. Sarbeswar hopes to see farming become a valued and sustainable career rather than merely a means of subsistence in the future as he continues to inspire and educate.
Sarbeswar Basumatary’s story provides hope and a path to success in a society facing issues like food shortages and climate change. In addition to changing his life, his fearless farming practices and unwavering attitude have inspired many people to set lofty goals and accomplish more.