From a Water Scarce Village to a ₹1 Crore Pomegranate Farm: The Story of Gujarat’s ‘Anar Dada’

In a dry corner of Gujarat, where farming was once difficult because of limited water and uncertain rainfall, one farmer decided to try something different.

His name is Genabhai Dargabhai Patel, popularly known as “Anar Dada.” His journey from traditional farming to successful pomegranate cultivation turned him into an inspiration for thousands of farmers.

A Farmer Who Chose a Different Path

Genabhai Patel belongs to Banaskantha district in Gujarat, an area known for its dry climate and water challenges. For years, farmers in the region mainly depended on traditional crops such as wheat, cumin, castor and other crops.

Patel wanted to find a crop that could provide better returns while using less water.

Around 2005, he began experimenting with pomegranate farming after learning about the crop and modern irrigation techniques. He also travelled to Nashik, Maharashtra, to learn directly from farmers and understand how pomegranates were cultivated. Official accounts also record that he gained knowledge through agricultural programmes and the state’s Krishi Mahotsav during the early 2000s.

His first major step was purchasing thousands of pomegranate plants from Maharashtra and starting cultivation on his land.

Turning a Challenge into an Opportunity

Pomegranate farming was not easy in the beginning. Water was limited, the soil and climate were challenging, and getting the right market price was another problem.

But Patel continued experimenting.

He adopted drip irrigation, which helped deliver water directly to the plants and reduce unnecessary water use. He also used scientific farming practices, proper plant spacing, pruning and organic fertilisers. Government agricultural sources have highlighted his use of drip irrigation and organic farming methods as important parts of his success.

Instead of seeing the dry conditions as a reason to stop, he looked for a crop that could work with them.

Pomegranate became that crop.

From a Small Experiment to a Large Farm

What started as an experiment gradually became a large farming operation.

Over the years, Patel expanded his pomegranate cultivation to around 12 acres. Reports about his farm have highlighted his use of thousands of pomegranate plants and his focus on producing high-quality fruit.

His farming methods include careful pruning, drip irrigation, fruit thinning and natural fertilisers. He has also used Panchamrut, made from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery and pulses flour, along with vermicompost as organic inputs.

The result was not just more production, but better-quality fruit that could attract better prices.

The Startup Pedia story reports that his farm today generates around ₹1 crore in annual turnover, showing how far his experiment has come.

He Did Not Keep the Knowledge to Himself

The biggest part of Genabhai Patel’s story is not only his own success.

He began teaching other farmers what he had learned.

His farm became a place where farmers could come, observe his methods and learn about pomegranate cultivation. Government and other reports say that tens of thousands of farmers have visited his farm to learn from his experience.

His efforts helped encourage farmers in Banaskantha and nearby areas to move towards pomegranate cultivation. The crop gradually became an important source of income for farmers in the region.

He also established an Anarshala, or Pomegranate School, to share practical knowledge with farmers.

Recognition from Across India

Patel’s work eventually received national recognition.

In 2017, Genabhai Dargabhai Patel was awarded the Padma Shri for Agriculture by the Government of India. The official Padma Awards notification lists him among the 2017 awardees.

The recognition was for more than growing pomegranates. His work showed how innovation, water-saving technology and knowledge-sharing could transform farming in a difficult environment.

He also received several other state and national-level honours for his contribution to agriculture.

A Legacy That Goes Beyond One Farm

Genabhai Patel’s story is a reminder that innovation in India does not always begin in a laboratory or a large company.

Sometimes, it begins on a small farm.

A farmer facing limited water experimented with a new crop. He learned from others, tested new methods, improved his results and then shared his knowledge with fellow farmers.

Today, “Anar Dada” represents much more than pomegranate farming. His journey shows how one person’s decision to try something new can create opportunities for an entire farming community.

From a water-scarce region to a successful pomegranate-growing hub, Genabhai Patel turned a difficult situation into a story of innovation, perseverance and rural transformation.

This is the India Story — where change often begins with one person willing to try a different way.