Sukhjeet Singh's academic journey began with a Master’s degree in Physical Education, followed by a diploma in agriculture. He worked as a Physical Education professor for eight years, also a national level player himself, yet, his heart always leaned toward farming. Eventually, he decided to leave his job and return to his roots, taking up cultivation on his family's 20-acre ancestral land.
Initially, like many first-generation farmers, he faced several challenges, low productivity, poor crop performance, and a lack of awareness about agricultural technologies. But a turning point came in 2013, when a casual visit to a Krishi Mela at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, changed his course forever.
A Transformative Visit to IARI, Pusa
That year, Sukhjeet attended a farm exhibition in Pusa Grounds and was amazed to witness the diversity of improved crop varieties being showcased. He had little knowledge then about the existence of high-yielding seeds and modern agronomic practices. Among the exhibits, a new Basmati rice variety, Pusa Basmati 1509 caught his attention. Developed by Dr. A.K. Singh, the then Director and Vice-Chancellor of IARI and also regarded as the ‘King of Basmati’ promised better yield and shorter maturity.
Intrigued, Sukhjeet procured a few kilograms of seeds and experimented with them on his farm. The result was astonishing, a 40% increase in yield and a significant jump in income that season. This experience ignited his curiosity and established a deep connection with the scientific world of agriculture. Sukhjeet also experimented with various other varieties like PB 1692, PB 1885, PB 1985 (DSR) and improved wheat varieties like HD 3086, HD 3226, HD 3386, HD 3385 and many more that gave out promising yield and increased profitability.
Turning Curiosity into Commitment
Motivated by the success of his first trial, Sukhjeet became a regular visitor to IARI. He engaged with agricultural scientists, studied new varieties, and began testing them systematically on his farm. His close interaction with researchers and deep interest in scientific farming turned his land into a living laboratory. This growing knowledge base laid the foundation for a bigger dream to make quality seeds available to more farmers and help them experience the same transformation he had.
Establishing ‘A-One Seeds’: A Seed Revolution in the Making
In 2014, with accumulated knowledge and practical experience, Sukhjeet established his seed processing unit under the brand name ‘A-One Seeds’ in his village. His mission was clear: to provide high-quality, certified seeds to farmers at affordable prices, backed with proper guidance.
He began collecting breeder seeds of wheat and paddy from premier agricultural universities, growing foundation and certified seeds in his own fields. Over time, his unit evolved into a hub of learning and empowerment, where farmers could not only buy seeds but also interact directly with him to understand the characteristics and performance of each variety.
His retail outlet became a space for exchange of ideas and agricultural insights. On average, 40–50 farmers visit his unit regularly to seek guidance, make purchases, and share their experiences. Now, his son Gurveer Singh Bhangu, an MBA graduate from Punjabi University, Patiala, has joined the venture and currently oversees the marketing department of A-One Seeds.
A Firm Belief in Science and Sustainability
Sukhjeet Singh is a firm advocate of strong farmer-scientist collaboration, believing it is essential to tackle the challenges posed by climate change to traditional farming. He emphasizes that the future lies in adopting climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties developed by research institutions. In the past, the lack of nearby agricultural research facilities limited farmers to long-duration crops like paddy and wheat. To overcome this, Sukhjeet took the initiative to undergo multiple training programs, equipping himself to educate and guide local farmers.
Recognition and Achievements
Sukhjeet Singh Bhangu’s dedication and innovation have been widely acknowledged. His accolades include:
- Award of Appreciation from CT University, Punjab (2020)
- Farm Level Seed Processing Award from ICFA, New Delhi (2018)
- ICFA Progressive Farmer Award (2019)
- India Agri Business Award by ICFA, New Delhi (2019)
- Krishi Sewa Puraskar from AgriTech Asia, Indore (2019)
- Memento of Appreciation from NEH, Manipur (2019)
- Best Farmer Award from Krishi Dhan (2019)
- Fellow Award from IARI Pusa, New Delhi (2021)
- Krishithon Yuva Krishi Samman Puraskar (2023)
- Abhita Agro Expo Award (2024) and Best Entrepreneur Award in 2024
- Millionaire Farmer of India Award by Krishi Jagran in 2024
In a remarkable milestone, he was appointed as a member of the committee at ICAR that contributed to the development of 109 new crop varieties. He also had the rare privilege of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a representative of progressive Indian farmers, where they discussed the outcomes of crop trials conducted on Sukhjeet’s farm. Additionally, Sukhjeet is a proud member of the Indian Society of Seed Technology (ISST), IARI
Source: Krishi Jagran