Seeds of new ideas: B.Sc. Agriculture graduate Harshwardhan Boraste’s modern journey in grape farming

Jadhav Sakshi, Nashik

“Agriculture is not just a business, it is a responsibility- of our generations, land and future.”- Harshwardhan Boraste 23. A young man who is modern in mind but deeply connected to the soil in heart is a B.Sc. Agriculture graduate. Instead of running after a job, he has breathed new life returning to his traditional roots, his ancestral business – grape farming. The Boraste family Sakore(Mig) (tal. Niphad) has a farming tradition of four generations as grape growers. Harshwardhan’s father Deepak Boraste and Mother Sonali Boraste have maintained this tradition by working in the fields for years. However, Harsh added education to it and started using new agricultural methods.

An accidental journey: “I didn’t want to do farming”, said Harshwardhan. After completing his 11^th and 12^th from Excellencia JR. College Hyderabad, Harsh planned to do BBA. Because of his convent schooling background, business and construction-oriented friend circle, harsh also wanted to pursue a business degree like any other kid of his age. But one sentence from his father changed everything – “if you want to do business, first you need to know something about it.” So, eventually he scored well in CET, but also didn’t want to get lost in the hustle and bustle of MBAs around him.

From education to farming – an unspoken turn: He took admission in BBA in management quota, but then his father’s one sentence and his will to support his mother changed his life. This was the reason why he took admission in B.Sc. (Agri) at MVP Agricultural College. There, he not only started understanding farming, but also the soul of the soil.

“The combination of my agriculture and my mother’s management skills is my real strength,” – Harsh:  Harshwardhan is a son who stands by his mother. The farm in his house is managed by his mother – Sonali Boraste. A mother with excellent management skills who knows the techniques and takes the initiative in the daily farm work, is his true inspiration. “My parents gave me traditional knowledge, and my educational background guided me with agricultural science,” he says.

Challenges – but learning: “Last year was first season of mine and it was the first worst season of grapes that any 4^th generation had ever seen.” He experienced many obstacles like pests, weather, labor arrangements, and changing market prices. He also experienced several declines in production. He initially faced difficulties in understanding the stages of grape farming like disease, pest identification. He studied all these in theories but practically it was a very different picture for him. “The downy mildew which I saw in books, was different in reality”, he said. Also, grapes are the toughest horticultural crops and very sensitive, using right pesticides in right amount was another challenge for him, as for fruit pruning and exports it is necessary to follow MRL (Maximum Residue Limit). Difficulties came, but he didn’t give up. Each time he learned and bounced back. He studied the MRL chart, learned right formulation, through self believe and self-learning he faced all the challenges.

Quality over quantity: Boraste’s farm is spread over 30 acres and produces hybrid and exportable grapes like Thompson, Crimson seedless, Zinfandel. He does not only focus on production, but ‘focuses on quality’. He also serves as a Chief Agronomist for the agricultural company Microbax Agri Solutions, where he guides on farming. He also emphasizes the importance of organic fertilizers, more production with less water, and data-driven decision-making. 

One dream – to create self-reliant farmers: Harsh’s dream is to create a platform where everything needed for farming is available under one roof. “Grape production is not the end, it is the beginning,” he says.

Harshwardhan’s story is not just a success story of a young man; it is inspiration to renew tradition. It gives a powerful message – “Those whose roots are connected to the soil, storms cannot blow them away.

“Don’t give up farming, our soil gives us so much that if we understand it, it will carry us. Get an education but use it to repay the debt of the soil of your village.” – Harshwardhan Boraste.