Sarbeswar Basumatary, a 63-year-old Bodo tribal farmer from Panbari village in Assam’s Chirang district, has an inspiring story of resilience and innovation. Once earning as little as Rs 2-3 a day as a daily wage labourer and even digging coal for survival, he has transformed into a pioneering agriculturist honoured with the Padma Shri award in the field of Agriculture on April 22, 2024.
His journey is a powerful testament to the potential of integrated farming to uplift small-scale farmers and rural communities in India. Despite having education only up to Class 5 from Bagidwara LP School, Sarbeswar’s determination and innovative spirit earned him the title “Chirang ke Krishi Chiraag” (The Lamp of Chirang’s Farms).
His work continues to inspire through training sessions, exposure visits, and community outreach, including a recent interactive session for students on sustainable agriculture in August 2024, and a video profile by the Assam Chief Minister’s Office highlighting his impact as of October 2025.
Padma Shri awardee Shri Sarbeswar Basumatary, a distinguished farmer from Chirang has played a key role in promoting sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) September 29, 2025
🎥 His journey of dedication and impact pic.twitter.com/xvozCKmuXt
Innovation Through Integrated Farming
Sarbeswar’s breakthrough in farming came in the mid-1990s when he realised the limitations of unstable monocropping and dependence on forest resources. He adopted integrated farming, which combines multiple crops, horticulture, and allied activities such as fisheries, piggery, and sericulture on the same land, ensuring year-round income and efficient use of resources.
Today, his 9 acres of owned land, supplemented by 15-16 leased acres, support diverse cultivation including areca nuts, oranges, bananas, ginger, papaya, turmeric, khesari, coconuts, litchis, maize, and paddy. His five fish ponds, covering 2.5 acres, yield substantial profits supported by careful management of zooplankton and fish stocks, while piggery waste enriches pond nutrients for enhanced growth.
Boundary plantings of papaya and lemon trees help prevent soil erosion and boost profitability. Recent innovations include drip irrigation and organic farming methods, showcased in a July 2025 video by News Potli demonstrating how such practices have multiplied incomes for local farmers. Although there have been no major changes in the farm’s scale, Sarbeswar’s model continues influencing regional cooperatives and youth-led ventures.
Training, Community Leadership, and Recognition
Despite his limited formal education, Sarbeswar avidly pursued knowledge through self-driven training and exposure visits, beginning with agriculture sessions at Bijni Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office in 1996, fish farming training in 2007, and horticulture training at Kalyani University. Serving as President of the Panbari Banana Growers’ Society since the early 2000s, he implemented successful cultivation schemes for bananas, oranges, and pineapples. Beyond farming, he holds advisory roles on the Fishery Department of Chirang District, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Sericulture Department.
As promoter of Bordosila Farmer Producer Company Limited, he mentors youth by running a nursery with over 70,000 saplings and conducting hands-on training, including for his nephew Purno Boro who has prospered under his guidance. His outreach includes leading exposure visits, training programs, and webinars fostering agricultural sustainability.
Sarbeswar’s accolades include the Fishery Department award (2005), multiple agriculture honors, Central Silk Board’s Award of Excellence in Sericulture (2015), NIAM Jaipur certificate (2017), Assam Gaurav Award (2022-23), and finally the Padma Shri in 2024, recognising his exceptional contributions to the agricultural sector.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sarbeswar Basumatary’s journey highlights the transformative power of perseverance, bold experimentation, and knowledge sharing in rural livelihoods. His integrated farming harmonises environmental stewardship with economic well-being, particularly crucial in Assam’s flood-prone Bodoland Territorial Region.
His success is a clear example of how grassroots innovation, combined with institutional support through training and farmer producer organisations, can collectively uplift entire communities. Facing ongoing agricultural challenges in India, nurturing and scaling such pioneers is vital.
Sarbeswar Basumatary receives #PadmaShri from President #DroupadiMurmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan
— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 22, 2024
He is a progressive Tribal Farmer from Chirang, Assam – practicing mixed integrated farming, modern technology and innovative Horticulture #PadmaAwards2024 #PeoplesPadma pic.twitter.com/ZhntpzhHau
