The Basil That Brought the World to My Farm

In the peaceful valleys of Baramulla, Kashmir, 34-year-old Shabir Ahmed was frustrated with growing maize and mustard — low-margin crops that barely covered input costs. Each harvest brought debt, not relief.

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One day, while browsing farming groups online, Shabir stumbled upon an article about basil farming for essential oils. Intrigued, he reached out to KisaanKa's team, who connected him with a herbal buyer from Delhi, offered training, and guided him through a trial.

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On just 10% of his land, Shabir sowed sweet basil.

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It grew fast, withstood the cooler climate, and required minimal chemical inputs. After harvest, he accessed a community-owned steam distillation unit, producing his first batch of basil oil a fragrant, golden liquid that fetched ₹2,500 per litre.

In one season, Shabir made more than he had in three years of mustard.

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He expanded basil to the entire acre, formed a small herbal farmer group, and now exports to buyers in Delhi and Mumbai. His next goal? Start a distillation unit in his village and train 50 other farmers.

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❝Basil gave me freedom — from middlemen, from poverty, from doubt.❞ – Shabir Ahmed

 

 

Learnings:

• Medicinal herbs like basil are high-demand, short-cycle crops.

• Adding value at the farm level (oil, tea, etc.) multiplies income.

• Direct market access + simple tech creates rural wealth.