# Sikar Farmer Santosh Devi Khedar Named Rajasthan Brand Ambassador After Turning Arid Land Into Fruit Haven

> Overcoming severe water scarcity by cultivating pomegranates and apples, Santosh Devi Khedar has been appointed as Rajasthan's agricultural brand ambassador and master trainer.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-10-10 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/sikar-ki-santosh-devi-khedar-banin-rajasthan-ki-kisana-branda-enbesadara-shushka-dharati-para-bagavani-se-chamaki-kismata-45751 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Santosh Devi Khedar, Rajasthan Agriculture, Pomegranate Queen, Organic Farming, Drip Irrigation, Sikar, Horticulture

Defying the harsh climate and acute water scarcity of rural Rajasthan, Santosh Devi Khedar from Beri village in Sikar district has carved out an exceptional path through innovative horticulture. By combining advanced water-saving techniques with organic methods, she transformed arid fields into flourishing orchards, earning widespread local acclaim as the region's Pomegranate Queen. Her remarkable journey has now culminated in a prestigious state-level assignment to guide fellow farmers across Rajasthan.

## Transforming Arid Soil Into a Diverse Fruit Orchard
Stepping far beyond traditional agricultural routines, Santosh Devi introduced a varied assortment of commercial fruit crops on her farmland. Alongside extensive pomegranate cultivation, she successfully raised Harman-99, a specialized apple variety tailored for warm weather conditions. Her flourishing fields also accommodate guava, sweet lime, lemon, and sapota saplings. Cultivating such a wide assortment in a drought-prone belt demands meticulous crop selection and strict water stewardship, turning her farm into a living showcase of high-value arid horticulture.

## Water Conservation Through Drip Technology and Organic Practices
The cornerstone of Santosh Devi's farming model is the optimization of scarce natural resources. Relying on micro-irrigation systems, specifically drip setups, she ensures that each plant receives targeted moisture without wasting precious underground supplies. Complemented by natural and chemical-free soil nourishment, her regenerative practices have positioned her as a pioneer in sustainable agriculture. This approach offers a viable roadmap for growers operating in zones facing severe groundwater depletion and climate unpredictability.

## Nursery Operations Producing Over One Lakh Plants Annually
Expanding her agricultural horizons, Santosh Devi also established an expansive plant propagation enterprise. Her commercial nursery holds official registration with the National Horticulture Board, yielding more than 100,000 top-tier saplings each year. The holding has evolved into an educational hub, attracting agricultural university students and researchers who seek practical exposure to arid farming systems. Growers traveling from neighboring states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, frequently visit the site for field training and hands-on workshops.

## National Accolades and a State-Level Mandate
Her grassroots innovations quickly garnered national visibility, securing her an exclusive invitation to Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the Republic Day celebrations. In 2024, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute acknowledged her pioneering work with the prestigious Innovative Farmer Award. Building on these accomplishments, the Rajasthan Agriculture Commissionerate has now formally appointed her as the state's official farmer brand ambassador and master trainer.

As per the official notification issued by Agriculture Commissioner Naresh Kumar Goyal, she will travel to various regional training seminars and workshops to mentor agrarian communities in natural, organic, and traditional farming techniques. For this role, Shri Ramshantay Organic Agriculture Research and Training Centre, Kota will provide her a monthly honorarium of 11,000 rupees.

## What this means for you
Growers in arid belts gain a proven blueprint to boost incomes through water-efficient horticulture and plant propagation.

- **In Rajasthan:** Farmers across the state will receive hands-on instruction in organic and natural cultivation directly from an experienced practitioner. This transition enables cultivators in dry districts to shift from low-yield conventional staples toward lucrative commercial orchard development.
- **Across India:** Smallholders facing severe water scarcity gain proof that micro-irrigation systems combined with climate-resilient varieties can unlock profitable fruit production. This model provides an adaptable framework to safeguard rural livelihoods against declining water tables.
- **Economic Potential:** Establishing a registered commercial nursery producing over 100,000 saplings offers an effective pathway for farm-level enterprise and diversification. It presents rural women and youth with viable models for agri-entrepreneurship beyond staple grain production.
- **Crop Innovation:** Incorporating specialized high-value cultivars like warm-climate Harman-99 apples allows growers to diversify successfully outside traditional horticultural belts. Such crop diversification creates access to premium retail pricing across regional produce markets.

## Why this happened
This recognition and appointment stem from sustained on-field experimentation in micro-irrigation and horticultural diversification. Severe groundwater depletion and arid weather in western India had created acute survival hurdles for traditional cultivators.

- **Need for Resource Optimization:** Depleting aquifer levels in Sikar made rain-fed staple crops unsustainable, prompting Santosh Devi to adopt micro-irrigation setups. Precision drip watering allowed her to maximize hydration efficiency while conserving critical local reserves.
- **Horticultural Breakthrough:** Successfully introducing warm-climate Harman-99 apples alongside extensive pomegranate acreage demonstrated the viability of fruit production in dry sandy soil. These tangible field yields drew the attention of state agricultural departments and national scientists.
- **Accredited Track Record:** Obtaining National Horticulture Board registration for her nursery and winning the 2024 Innovative Farmer Award from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute established her technical credibility. State authorities subsequently leveraged her verified practical expertise to inspire and educate growers statewide.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What new official role has Santosh Devi Khedar received?
The Rajasthan Agriculture Commissionerate has appointed her as the state's farmer brand ambassador and master trainer.

### 2. Which village and district does Santosh Devi belong to?
She belongs to Beri village located in the Sikar district of Rajasthan.

### 3. By what title is she popularly recognized in her region?
She is popularly recognized as the Pomegranate Queen due to her successful pomegranate orchards.

### 4. Which fruit varieties are cultivated on her farmland?
Her farm cultivates pomegranate, Harman-99 apple, guava, sweet lime, lemon, and sapota.

### 5. How many saplings does her registered nursery produce annually?
Her National Horticulture Board-registered nursery produces more than 100,000 saplings each year.

### 6. Which national honor was conferred upon her in 2024?
In 2024, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute conferred upon her the Innovative Farmer Award.

### 7. What monthly honorarium will she receive for her trainer role?
She will receive a monthly honorarium of 11,000 rupees from Shri Ramshantay Organic Agriculture Research and Training Centre, Kota.

## Inspiration & Lessons
Santosh Devi's trajectory demonstrates how resourceful adaptation and technological openness can turn acute regional constraints into transformative breakthroughs.

- **Turn Scarcity Into Innovation:** Rather than viewing arid conditions as an impasse, she adopted drip technology to turn water conservation into her primary operational strength.
- **Embrace Bold Diversification:** Breaking away from monotonous conventional crops to plant experimental fruit varieties proved that calculated risks yield superior returns.
- **Establish Multi-Stream Enterprises:** Expanding from crop harvesting into an accredited nursery created an enduring, scalable commercial foundation.
- **Share Practical Knowledge:** Actively mentoring visiting students and growers elevated her from an individual cultivator to a respected regional mentor.

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