Meet Abdul Alam Mir, the Strawberry Man of Gasoo, the first person to grow the coveted fruit in the region.

BY Jehangir Rashid

Abdul Ahad Mir, known in Jammu and Kashmir as the strawberry man, was the first to cultivate strawberry in the Gasoo area in the outskirts of Srinagar city. He started growing strawberry on one kanal of land (about 1/8 acre), and encouraged by harvests, now has extended cultivation to 10 kanals. Today, thanks to Mir, Gasoo is known as the strawberry village in Kashmir. In recognition of his pioneering efforts, the State felicitated him as a progressive farmer in February this year. The award follows on the heels of a national award commending his methods.

Until a few years ago, she was like any other woman of her times; a loving wife and a caring mother. Like many of us, flowers have always fascinated her. But what makes her unique is her incredible resourcefulness to also make her love for flowers a lucrative business.

An improved variety of turmeric has made Chandra Sekhar Azad a community icon.

Even at the age of 72, he is still young in his words, deeds and thoughts. Needless to say, when it comes to agriculture, his enthusiasm and determination outdoes that of youngsters these days.

Meet Mr. P Chandra Sekhar Azad, a 72-year-old enterprising farmer from Vijayawada of Andhra Pradesh, for whom agriculture is not a mere money- making business. It is his vision, passion and mission. And for those who always lament that agriculture is a loss, Azad's story is going to be a big inspiration.