Kupwara’s Humaira proves farming can be meaningful career choice

Kupwara, Jun 20: In the quiet agricultural fields of Bramri, Kupwara, where most young graduates chase government jobs or pack their bags for cities, 24-year-old Humaira has chosen a different path altogether. With soil under her fingernails and determination in her eyes, she’s proving that farming isn’t just about survival—it’s about building something meaningful.

“Instead of running after a government job, I chose to become a job provider,” says Humaira. The confidence in her voice is unmistakable. This BBA graduate has become something of a local celebrity, earning the nickname “Garlic Girl of Kupwara” for her success in garlic cultivation.

What started as a leap of faith on just two kanals of land has grown into a thriving enterprise spanning nearly six kanals. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story—it’s the journey that makes Humaira’s tale compelling.

“My family was worried initially,” she admits with a laugh. “Here I was, with a business degree, talking about growing garlic. But I knew there was potential here that others weren’t seeing.”

The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Humaira spent months learning the intricacies of protected cultivation, working closely with the Department of Agriculture in Kupwara. The greenhouse farming techniques she employs are still relatively new to the region, making her something of a pioneer.

“The first year was tough,” she recalls. “I made mistakes, lost some crops, but I learned. Each season taught me something new about the soil, about timing, about patience.”

Her persistence paid off. Today, her greenhouse produces high-quality garlic that has found its way into local and regional markets. More importantly, her success has created employment for six people from her village—a fact she mentions with visible pride.

“People think farming is just about throwing seeds in the ground and waiting,” she says, checking the irrigation system. “But modern farming is scientific. You need to understand soil composition, moisture levels, temperature control—it’s like running a laboratory.”

Her success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Other young people from neighbouring villages have started visiting her farm, asking questions, seeking advice. Some have even started their own small ventures, inspired by her example.

The financial aspects of her venture are equally impressive. While she’s modest about specific numbers, it’s clear that garlic cultivation has provided her with a comfortable income and financial independence that many of her degree-holding peers still struggle to achieve.

“My parents are proud now,” she says with a smile. “They see that I’m not just earning well, but I’m also creating opportunities for others. That makes them happy.”

But Humaira’s vision extends beyond just farming. She talks about value addition, processing, even export potential. Her eyes light up when discussing plans for expanding into other high-value crops.

“Garlic was just the beginning,” she explains. “I want to show that agriculture can be modern, profitable, and dignified. We don’t have to leave our villages to build successful careers.”

The challenges haven’t been insignificant. From sceptical relatives to market fluctuations, from technical difficulties to gender-related obstacles in a traditionally male-dominated field, Humaira has faced them all.

“Some people still ask me when I’m going to find a ‘real job,’” she says, laughing. “I tell them I already have one—I’m the CEO of my own company.”

Her story is particularly significant in a region where agriculture is often seen as a fallback option rather than a career choice. Humaira is changing that perception, one harvest at a time.

“Agriculture feeds the world,” she says, her voice taking on a serious tone. “How can something so essential be considered inferior? We need to change this mindset.”

As our conversation draws to a close, Humaira walks me through her greenhouse one more time. She stops to examine some plants, making notes in a small diary she carries. The attention to detail is evident—this isn’t casual farming, it’s professional agriculture.

“Five years from now, I see myself with a much larger operation,” she says, looking out at the surrounding fields. “But more than that, I want to see dozens of other young people following this path. I want agriculture to be a first choice, not a last resort.”

Standing in her greenhouse, surrounded by thriving garlic plants and the sound of dripping irrigation systems, Humaira represents something important—a new generation of farmers who are educated, ambitious, and unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom.