How a Rampur Farmer Doubled His Mint Oil and Profit With a 6-Acre Golden Variety Crop Rampur farmer Raghuveer has been growing mentha for 20 years, and this season his special Golden variety on 6 acres is yielding nearly double the oil of ordinary strains, sharply boosting his earnings. In Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, the cultivation of mentha, or peppermint, is steadily transforming farmers' lives. One name that stands out is Raghuveer, a local grower who has been farming mentha on a large scale for the past 20 years. For him this crop is nothing new, since his grandfather and father farmed it before him, and growing up in that environment gave him a firm grasp of its finer points from childhood. This year he has planted a special Golden variety of mentha across his 6-acre field, a strain that is rapidly winning favour among farmers. Why the Golden variety has become the top pick According to Raghuveer, the real strength of this Golden strain is its remarkable oil output. While other mentha varieties yield only about 5 kg of oil per bigha, the Golden variety easily produces 8 to 9 kg. Nearly doubling the oil directly means double the profit in a farmer's pocket, which is exactly why most growers in the area are now keen to switch to this strain. Sown in January and February, with no seed hassle Explaining his method, Raghuveer says mentha sowing begins in the last days of January or the first week of February. The most reassuring part is that it needs no costly seeds from the market. The crop is raised from the leftover roots of the previous harvest, which are planted in the field, and within a few days fresh, healthy plants begin to sprout. Once the roots take hold, the plants grow quickly and the entire seed cost is saved. Ready to harvest in three to four months The crop becomes fully ready for cutting in roughly 90 to 120 days, that is three to four months. Depending on the weather and care, the harvest timing can shift a little either way. Once ready, the plants are cut and left to dry in the sun for a while, then sent to a distillation unit to extract the oil. Raghuveer has set up his own unit, which has made the oil extraction even simpler for him. Tiny cost, manifold returns On expenses, Raghuveer explains that mentha demands the most attention on irrigation, weeding and fertiliser. Altogether, growing one bigha of mentha costs around 3,000 to 4,000 rupees. Yet the returns against this small outlay are many times higher, which is why large numbers of farmers in Rampur and the surrounding areas are turning to this cash crop. At present, mentha oil is selling in the market at around 1,000 rupees per kg. However, in this volatile market Raghuveer has also sold his oil at a high of 1,700 rupees per kg. So when the yield is good and prices hold firm, farmers can earn bumper money in a single season. Mentha oil is used by large industries that make medicines, toothpaste, pan masala, cosmetics and a range of products, which keeps its market demand from ever falling. Even the leftover residue pays off Another advantage of this crop is that the leaves and stalks left over after the oil is extracted do not go to waste. Farmers dry this residue and use it as fuel in their tank, or spread it directly across the field, where it works as excellent organic manure. This not only saves the heavy cost of chemical fertiliser but also keeps the soil's fertility strong in a natural way. What this means for you • Across India: A cash crop like mentha can deliver several times the profit on a small investment, so even smallholder farmers can try it to lift their income. • In Rampur: Local farmers have a clear path through the Golden variety and their own distillation units, making strong earnings possible in a single season. Questions & Answers 1. Who is Raghuveer and how long has he been farming mentha? Raghuveer is a farmer from Rampur district who has been growing mentha on a large scale for the past 20 years. His grandfather and father also farmed the same crop. 2. How much oil does the Golden variety yield? The Golden variety yields 8 to 9 kg of oil per bigha, whereas ordinary varieties produce only about 5 kg. 3. When is mentha sown? Mentha sowing begins in the last days of January or the first week of February, and it requires no seeds bought from the market. 4. How long does the crop take to be ready? The mentha crop is ready for harvest in roughly 90 to 120 days, that is three to four months. 5. How much does it cost to grow one bigha of mentha? Growing one bigha of mentha costs around 3,000 to 4,000 rupees, which covers irrigation, weeding and fertiliser. 6. What is the current price of mentha oil? Mentha oil is currently selling at around 1,000 rupees per kg, though Raghuveer has also sold it at as high as 1,700 rupees per kg. 7. Where is mentha oil used? Mentha oil is used by large industries that make medicines, toothpaste, pan masala, cosmetics and a variety of other products. 8. What happens to the residue left after oil extraction? The leftover leaves and stalks are dried and used as fuel in the tank or spread on the field as organic manure. Inspiration & Lessons Raghuveer's story shows how blending tradition with smart choices can turn farming into a genuinely profitable venture. His journey offers a few clear lessons: • Carry forward family skill: Raghuveer turned the knowledge passed down by his grandfather and father into a solid profession over 20 years of effort. • Pick the right strain: By choosing the Golden variety over ordinary ones, he nearly doubled his oil output. • Cut your costs: Growing the crop from old roots let him save the entire expense of buying seeds. • Do your own processing: Setting up his own distillation unit made oil extraction easier and cheaper. • Waste nothing: Using the leftover residue as fuel and organic manure trimmed his costs even further. https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/rampur-ke-raghuvira-ne-mentha-ki-golden-vairayati-se-badali-takadira-6-ekara-men-doguna-tela-aura-moti-kamai-2617 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.